The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has conducted research into the bridge crossing’s history.
Among the discoveries is the compilation of the individuals who and entities that have owned, operated and maintained the different bridges that have spanned the Delaware River at the location since 1814. The list is as follows:
New Hope-Delaware Bridge Company (first iteration), private toll bridge, Sept. 12, 1814 to March 15, 1850 (approximate);
Honorable John Runk et al, court-appointed receivers later further empowered by legislative fiat in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, private toll bridge, March 15, 1850 (approximate) to Nov. 29, 1850;
John G. Michener and James Gordon, Esqrs., Philadelphia attorneys, private toll bridge, Nov. 29, 1953;
Samuel Grant, Esq., Philadelphia shipper and importer, private toll bridge, Nov. 29, 1853 to Sept. 23, 1872;
Estate of Samuel Grant, William S. Grant executor, private toll bridge, Sept. 23, 1872 to May 7, 1887;
New Hope-Delaware Bridge Company (second iteration), private toll bridge, May 7, 1887 to Dec. 31, 1919;
States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey (jointly) with operation and maintenance assigned to the former so-called Joint Commission for Elimination of Toll Bridges across the Delaware River with costs covered by state tax subsidies, public non-toll bridge, Dec. 31, 1919, to Dec. 28, 1934;
States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey with operation and maintenance assigned to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission with costs covered by state tax subsidies, public non-toll bridge, Dec. 28, 1934, to July 1, 1987;
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (outright) with costs covered as a toll-supported facility, public non-toll bridge, July 1, 1987 to today.