DRPA gets major grant for bike ramp

CAMDEN - The Delaware River Port Authority has received a major grant to help pay for a proposed bicycle and handicap ramp onto the Ben Franklin Bridge from Camden.

Meanwhile, the long-sought ramp to replace the stairwell has been redesigned by the same engineering firm after construction contractors stunned DRPA officials last fall with bid prices double and triple the estimated $4.1 million ramp cost.

The new $3.78 million federal grant from a new program within the Federal Highway Administration, plus a $400,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation brings total grant revenue for the project to almost $4.2 million.

Waterfront pier to become Camden park

During a report to the DRPA board Wednesday, CEO John Hanson praised Barbara Holcolm, DRPA capital projects grant manager, for securing the grant.

"This is the first grant from that agency since the law was changed to allow toll agencies to receive federal highway funding," he said.

Bicyclists can ride onto the Philadelphia side of the bridge but not onto the Camden side at 5th Street. They must carry their bikes up and down a steep set of steps 25 feet high; there is no handicapped accessibility from that side.

The DRPA had planned to open the ramp onto the Camden side of the bridge in early 2018 but bid rejection and redesign has delayed the plan to replace the stairway. There is no firm timetable yet for construction.

Ammann & Whitney, a Philadelphia engineering consultant, has submitted its redesign to the state New Jersey Department of Transportation for review, DRPA spokesman Mike Williams said.

DRPA Chief Engineer Michael Venuto said the authority still must approve a redesign that hopefully will lower the total cost and then must rebid the project.

He said the prior bids, which ranged from more than $8.2 million to $15 million, were much higher than anticipated because the original engineer underestimated the complexity of the project.

"A number of factors resulted in the high bids, including fabrication and erection of structural steel, fabrication of ornamental railing and restricted construction hours due to the close proximity to the tracks of the PATCO Hi-Speedline," Venuto added.

The DRPA Citizens Advisory Committee and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia have been pushing for a ramp for years.

In other business Wednesday, DRPA Chairman Ryan Boyer announced the executive board would next month discuss the creation of an ethics committee. The authority revised its ethics code last year as part of its reform measures and is also looking to redefine the role of inspector general before it fills the post.

Carol Comegno (856) 486-2473; ccomegno@gannettnj.com