Breaking News & Updates

Phillips’ Mill Bridge Replacement is Progressing

June 11, 2018

Bi-State Construction has installed the temporary roadway that gives access to the bridge construction project and the pipes that will allow canal water to flow past the site as soon as the Centre Bridge pump is put back in service ( we hope this week). The towpath trail is CLOSED between Lower Limeport Bridge to the north and the bridge at Canal Park to the south. The project could take as long as April 2019, and the trail will be closed throughout that time.

Please do not try to get through that area by removing barriers. They will be replaced and the project will take that much longer to complete.

Also please be aware that the temporary roadway is for use only by the contractor and the owners of the riverside properties that have no other access.

Your cooperation will be very much appreciated by all involved and affected.

Centre Bridge Pump Update

Friday, May 11, 2018

From Josh Swartley, Delaware Canal State Park Manager —

We tried to retrieve the pump on Tuesday and were unable to get to it. River level is still too high. We also need to replace the compression fitting on the discharge line where the flexible pipe meets the plastic pipe. The parts have been ordered for this and should be available next week.

Repairs South of Easton Complete

April 27, 2018

Both DCNR and PennDOT have completed the necessary culvert pipe and sinkhole repairs located in the Canal and on Route 611 near Canal Cup. The gate in Easton that allows water to flow into the Canal has been reopened, and the process of rewatering the Canal from Easton to Erwinna has begun.

Repairs Underway South of Easton

Good news. Both PennDOT and DCNR repair crews were on the scene today at the sinkhole problem south of Easton by Canal Side Cup. The sinkholes were caused by water flowing around rather than through the culvert that runs under both Route 611 and the Canal.

Towpath Closure at Phillips’ Mill

April 12, 2018

The towpath will be closed between the Lower Limeport Bridge and the pedestrian bridge at Canal Park in Solebury Township beginning on Monday, April 16th. The closure is necessary because of the replacement of the bridge that crosses the Canal at Phillips’ Mill. The closure will remain in effect until the project is completed.

It will not be possible to complete the Delaware Canal/Delaware & Raritan Canal Loop Trail that runs from Centre Bridge, PA to New Hope, PA to Lambertville, NJ to Stockton, NJ to Centre Bridge, PA.

Upcoming Work on the Centre Bridge to Lock 11 Section

Wednesday, March 28

The pump that supplies water to the Canal from Centre Bridge to Lock 11 section in New Hope was damaged during the ice floes in the Delaware River this winter. The Park Maintenance staff has not been able to get down into the River to fully ascertain the problem because of ice, then high water levels. It anticipated that the damage isn’t too significant.

In the meantime, the contract has been awarded to Bi-State Construction for the reconstruction of the Phillips’ Mill Bridge. The first stage of this project is to place pipes through which water can flow in the Canal and then construct a temporary roadway to access the bridge site.

The Park’s plan is to have both the pump repair and the pipe installation/ temporary road access projects occur simultaneously in April. This will take advantage of the Canal’s current waterless condition and prevent the scenario of rewatering the Canal with the pump only to have it de-watered again shortly thereafter.

Towpath Closure Postponed until after January 1, 2018

December 21, 2017

The towpath in the vicinity of the Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement project in Lower Makefield Township will not be closed during the week after Christmas. The closure is now scheduled for after January 1, 2018.

Change in Plans

December 18, 2017

The towpath in the vicinity of the Scudder Falls Bridge project in Lower Makefield Township will not be closed until Tuesday, December 26th. Happy riding and walking this week.

Towpath to be Closed in Vicinity of Scudder Falls Bridge Project

December 13, 2017

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has announced that the Delaware Canal towpath in the vicinity of the Scudder Falls Bridge project in Lower Makefield Township will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following dates:

Friday, December 15

Monday, December 18 through Friday, December 22

Tuesday, December 26 through Friday, December 29

The scheduled closures are needed for work associated with the widening of the current approach bridge structure that carries I-95 across the Delaware Canal and its towpath. The work will involvd both staged demolition and construction activities.

The closure periods are subject to change due to weather and other considerations. Pedestrians and bicyclists are urged to exercise caution when traveling along the Canal near or through work areas for the duration of the 4-1/2-year-long bridge replacement project.

Sinkholes at Lock 20 Repaired

November 21, 2017

Using the new Menzi, the Park staff has repaired the two sinkholes in the vicinity of Lock 20 south of Kintnersville and water is again flowing southward “at a good clip.”