Shutdown Of PATCO Train Track Across Ben Franklin Bridge Begins Friday!
By David Madden
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- The long-awaited, long-dreaded, two-month shutdown of one of the PATCO train tracks across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge started Friday morning.
You can't say you weren't warned about this (see previous story). PATCO train riders who have dealt with the headache on Fridays and weekends since February will now have them 24/7, through the end of July.
John Hanson, CEO of the Delaware River Port Authority, apologizes for what he knows will be an inconvenience, but he says it's unavoidable.
"This is work that has to be done, to keep the tracks safe and serviceable for the next 30 years," he said.
Rush-hour service gaps could go as high as 30 minutes in one direction -- or as little as five, because more trains will be directed to Philadelphia in the morning, South Jersey in the evening.
Next week, crews will cut off one or two lanes of eastbound automobile traffic on the bridge, to accommodate the work.
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