

Add the NJ Transit Delair Bridge to the National Register of Historic Places!
The Issue
Opened in 1896, the Delair Bridge across the Delaware River is a 100-year-old vertical lift drawbridge carrying CSX freight trains and NJ Transit's Atlantic City Rail Line. It is also used by CSAO and Norfolk Southern Railroad. The bridge was electrified with catenary by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the 1930s, but was removed in 1981 when Conrail ended electric freight service.
Passenger train traffic on the bridge had initially ended in 1969 when Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines service was cut to Lindenwold station after the completion of the PATCO Speedline, but was restored in 1989 when Amtrak began the Atlantic City Express service. This particular Amtrak service ended in 1995; however, New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Rail Line service has used the bridge continuously since 1993.
In December 2011, the bridge underwent extensive rehabilitation due to a generous $18.5 million grant by the United States Department of Transportation given to the South Jersey Port Corporation. The bridge is double tracked, with both tracks in use for passenger and freight service. The Atlantic City Rail Line was suspended on September 4, 2018 due to installation of positive train control but resumed service on May 24, 2019.
This bridge belongs on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Issue
Opened in 1896, the Delair Bridge across the Delaware River is a 100-year-old vertical lift drawbridge carrying CSX freight trains and NJ Transit's Atlantic City Rail Line. It is also used by CSAO and Norfolk Southern Railroad. The bridge was electrified with catenary by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the 1930s, but was removed in 1981 when Conrail ended electric freight service.
Passenger train traffic on the bridge had initially ended in 1969 when Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines service was cut to Lindenwold station after the completion of the PATCO Speedline, but was restored in 1989 when Amtrak began the Atlantic City Express service. This particular Amtrak service ended in 1995; however, New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Rail Line service has used the bridge continuously since 1993.
In December 2011, the bridge underwent extensive rehabilitation due to a generous $18.5 million grant by the United States Department of Transportation given to the South Jersey Port Corporation. The bridge is double tracked, with both tracks in use for passenger and freight service. The Atlantic City Rail Line was suspended on September 4, 2018 due to installation of positive train control but resumed service on May 24, 2019.
This bridge belongs on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Decision Makers

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Petition created on November 29, 2020

