By: centraljersey.com
WASHINGTON CROSSING, Pa. – On Friday, representatives of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, Washington Crossing Historic Park, and Upper Makefield Township dedicated a new limited-access boat ramp that will be put to the test during the Christmas Day reenactment of George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River.
The $200,000 boat ramp was constructed by the commission as part of a repair and improvement project it carried out at its nearby Washington Crossing bridge during the late summer and early fall.
The installation enabled the commission to have a means of river access for conducting its bridge repairs and that, in turn, enabled the commission to save money on the project’s construction contract; costs would have been higher without the river access.
"This boat ramp is a testament to how we try to partner with other governmental agencies and community organizations when planning and carrying out a bridge project," said Frank G. McCartney, commission executive director. "It’s very satisfying to know that this boat launch will play a role in helping to promote the public’s appreciation of Revolutionary War history and that it could one day facilitate life-saving river rescues."
The boat launch will provide a safe and long-lasting facility for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) and the Friends of Washington Crossing Park (FWCP) to launch its replica Durham boats for the reenactment performed at the location each year. Previously, a crane was used to place boats in the river. This was both detrimental to the historic site and expensive. The crane left large ruts in the bank that contributed to erosion. Rental costs for the crane also cost nearly $6,000 each year.
In addition to the PHMC and FWCP, the ramp will be used by Upper Makefield Township emergency services personnel for water-drafting and river-rescue purposes and by the Bridge Commission for future bridge maintenance purposes.
In a ceremonial gesture, Mr. McCartney conveyed a large golden key to Joan Hauger, site administrator for the Washington Crossing Historic Park; Mary Ryan, a member of the Upper Makefield Township Board of Supervisors; and Dennis DeSantis, battalion chief for Station 81 of the Upper Makefield Fire Company.
The transfer was witnessed by Gen. George Washington, portrayed by Bristol police Lt. John Godzieba, who also serves as president of the FWCP.
The ramp is 16-feet wide and 153-feet long. It consists of approximately 2,200 square feet of cellular concrete matting. Access is restricted by lock and key from River Road (Route 32). The facility is designed for official use only; use by the general public is prohibited.
The location and design of the boat launch was developed in coordination with the PHMC and the National Parks Service (NPS). The site was selected to avoid adverse impacts to the adjacent historic masonry river wall. Several details were developed to avoid direct impacts and minimize aesthetic impacts:
– Stone gabion walls were utilized to blend with the setting and minimize the extent of earthwork;
– Ground cover plantings were selected and placed to grow over and further conceal the gabion walls;
– A wooden gate was chosen to minimize visual impacts;
– The color of the cellular concrete mat and concrete pad was selected in coordination with the PHMC and NPS to match the native soil tone;
– Native landscaping species conducive to the area were selected to blend with the setting: Trees included red maples, sugar maple, American beech, green ash, and white pine; bushes included red-twig dogwood, inkberry, and sheep laurel.
The ramp was designed by Dewberry-Goodkind, Inc. and ACT Engineers, Inc. and constructed by James J. Anderson Construction Company, Inc.
The boat launch was one facet of the multi-dimensional Washington Crossing bridge project conducted between late July and mid-October. The project included a 46-day shutdown of the bridge from Aug. 9-Sept. 24.
The Washington Crossing bridge crosses the Delaware River near the site of Gen. George Washington’s historic Christmas Night 1776 river crossing. The bridge connects Route 546 in Hopewell Township with Pennsylvania Route 532 in Upper Makefield Township.
Individuals seeking more information on the project can visit the project web page at www.drjtbc.org/washingtoncrossing.
