Background/Analysis/Issues: 

PennDOT, on behalf of the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), has requested that DVRPC amend the FFY2025 TIP for Pennsylvania by increasing the FFY26 Construction Phase (CON) of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge Safety Improvements project (MPMS #72597) by $15,227,000 by removing $4,465,000 STU/Toll Credit (FFY29: $2,093,000/FFY30: $2,372,000) and adding $19,692,000 NHPP/Toll Credit  (FFY26: $15,227,000/FFY27: $2,233,000/FFY28: $2,232,000); changing the project  name from “Benjamin Franklin Bridge Safety Improvements” (MPMS #72597) to  “Benjamin Franklin Bridge Preservation” (MPMS #72597); and removing the Ben  Franklin Bridge Eastbound Operational Improvements (MPMS #105290) project from  the TIP in the amount of $16,593,000 (FFY26: FD:$1,049,000 STU/Toll Credit; ROW:  $55,000 STP/Toll Credit; FFY33: CON: $15,489,000 State 581). 

The scope of work for the Ben Franklin Bridge Safety Improvements project originally  included improvements to signing on the westbound Ben Franklin Bridge and the  roadway system exiting the bridge in Philadelphia in order to improve traffic flow  efficiency and safety for vehicles exiting the bridge onto I-676, local Vine Street and  other city streets at the west end of the Ben Franklin Bridge. As the project progressed  through design, rehabilitation/replacement elements were added, and the project name  was changed to the “Ben Franklin Bridge Preservation” project to better reflect the final  scope of work, which now includes: 

• Replacement of the asphalt pavement on the entire bridge deck with Polyester Polymer Concrete (PPC). 

• Replacement of the asphalt overlay on the Philadelphia and Camden approach roadways. 

• Rehabilitation of the rotation panels on the bridge deck. 

• Replacement of deck finger joints, drainage hoods, and aprons on the bridge. • Replacement of deck expansion joints on the approaches.

• Replacement of the roof slab on the 5th Street Pedestrian Tunnel. • Replacement of roadway striping and signage. 

• Rehabilitation and cleaning of drainage systems. 

The bridge owner, DRPA, needs this work to be completed in a timely manner to provide long-term pavement improvements. DRPA is currently performing frequent,  costly short-term repairs as needed until this project can be completed.  

As part of the Ben Franklin Bridge Eastbound Operational Improvements project  (MPMS #105290), DRPA evaluated several options to improve vehicular traffic flow, safety, and connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians during the Preliminary  Engineering phase. After reviewing the options that were developed under the Ben  Franklin Bridge Eastbound Operational Improvements project, DRPA is not planning to  advance the recommended roadway improvements because they do not offer significant vehicular operational improvements. The proposed improvements for  bicyclists and pedestrians will be advanced using either a job order contract or  competitive bid contract. These improvements include constructing a new shared use  path along 5th Street at the entrance to the South Walkway, replacing the chain link  fence at the entrances to the North and South Walkways and replacing the existing  informational signing. As a result, DRPA is requesting the closeout of the Ben Franklin  Bridge Eastbound Operational Improvements project and the transfer of Construction  funds ($15,227,000) to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge Safety Improvements project,  which as noted above, will now be called the “Benjamin Franklin Bridge Preservation”  project.  

Financial Constraint: 

Financial constraint will be maintained by making adjustments to other existing TIP  projects whose schedules or costs have changed. The attached fiscal constraint charts  provided by PennDOT show all of the adjustments taking place in accordance with the  TIP Memorandum of Understanding. All projects listed contribute to fiscal constraint.  

Conformity Finding: 

The TIP's current conformity finding will not be impacted by this amendment as these projects are exempt from air quality analysis. 

Cost and Source of Funds: 

Adding $19,692,000 NHPP/Toll Credit and removing $21,058,000 ($5,514,000  STU/$55,000 STP/$15,489,000 State 581/Toll Credit) 

The DVRPC Board approves TIP Action PA25-076, PennDOT’s request, on behalf of  DRPA, that DVRPC amend the FFY2025 TIP for Pennsylvania by increasing the FFY26  CON Phase of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge Safety Improvements project (MPMS  #72597) by $15,227,000 by removing $4,465,000 STU/Toll Credit ($2,093,000  FFY29/$2,372,000 FFY30) and adding $19,692,000 NHPP/Toll Credit ($15,227,000  FFY26/$2,233,000 FFY27/$2,232,000 FFY28); changing the project name from  “Benjamin Franklin Bridge Safety Improvements” (MPMS #72597) to “Benjamin Franklin  Bridge Preservation” (MPMS #72597); and removing the Ben Franklin Bridge  Eastbound Operational Improvements (MPMS #105290) project from the TIP in the  amount of $16,593,000 (FFY26: FD:$1,049,000 STU/Toll Credit/ROW: $55,000  STP/Toll Credit; FFY33: CON: $15,489,000 State 581).