One lane each way restored on Tacony-Palmyra Bridge after ship strike

The Tacony-Palmyra Bridge reopened to two lanes of traffic, one in each direction, at 8:40 p.m. Thursday after a ship struck the structure earlier in the day. Burlington County spokesperson David Levinsky confirmed the partial reopening while noting that repair work remains active on site.

The collision occurred shortly after 1 p.m. during a scheduled opening for marine traffic. County officials initially closed the bridge to all vehicles and pedestrians to investigate the incident. The Burlington County Bridge Commission, which manages the infrastructure, is currently assessing the extent of the damage and determining the cause of the strike.

News of the accident first circulated on social media when State Representative Ed Neilson, a lawmaker from Northeast Philadelphia, posted an update to his followers. Neilson stated that the bridge was unable to close, which created a traffic disruption between Philadelphia and New Jersey. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The bridge had been fully shut down since the midday strike. The county’s Facebook page noted the closure was due to an investigation into the potential collision. As of the evening reopening, the full span remains under evaluation by the commission, with only a single lane available for traffic in each direction.

The Tacony-Palmyra Bridge serves as a key connection point between the two states. The strike happened while the drawbridge was in the open position, allowing the vessel to pass through. The county has not yet released specific details on the vessel or the exact nature of the structural impact.