Tacony-Palmyra Bridge reopens to traffic

PHILADELPHIA - October 10, 2013 (WPVI) -- Things are now back to normal along the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, but this morning it was a different story.

Commuters were greeted by police blocking access to the Tacony-Palmyra while engineers worked feverishly with machines and oil to bring back down the drawbridge that remained stuck for nearly ten hours.

Just before 1:00 a.m. the plates on the drawbridge jammed. One of the two bridge operators heard the engines working overtime, and knowing something was wrong he shut them down.

Engineers now believe a roller under the maintenance walkway caused a plate to jam. They replaced them with temporary covers and the bridge finally reopened at 11:45 this morning.

An estimated 50,000 drivers use the 84-year-old bridge daily. Engineers say no one was in danger but they're glad the operator caught the problem in time.

The Burlington county Bridge Commission, who maintains the bridge, says repairs for permanent replacements are expected to be made next Tuesday or Wednesday and should have minimal impact on traffic.

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