Turnpike Gap Challenge
Join the FreeWalkers and the Circuit Trails Coalition for the Turnpike Gap Challenge — a marathon walk and bike ride to raise awareness and support for the inclusion of a shared pedestrian and bicycle path across the Delaware River Turnpike Bridge between Bristol, PA and Florence, NJ. Currently, making this crossing requires a 26‑mile detour up and down the Delaware River through the City of Trenton; the Turnpike Gap Challenge highlights how a direct connection would transform local active transportation, recreation, and commuting options.
Why this matters
On the existing bridge, a trip by a private vehicle or ride-share takes about 10 minutes. The tolls to cross the bridge are between $7 (from PA) and $13 (from NJ). A trip on public transit can range between 90 minutes and two and a half hours and costs about $8 per passenger.
A future 1.7-mile bridge with a shared-use path would take 12-20 minutes by bike or 35 to 50 minutes on foot, fare-free.
The walk is a 26‑mile route tracing the current practical detour between Bristol and Burlington.
Start at the Lions Park Gazebo (Bristol, PA) at 9:00 AM; finish at Florence Township Recreational Complex (Florence, NJ) by approximately 7:00 PM.
A support vehicle will be available for walkers; the bike option will be self-supporting. About 90% of the walk in Pennsylvania and 75% in New Jersey will be off-road paths, and nearly all the on-road sections have sidewalks. There are restrooms in Falls Township Park and Crystal Lake Park. The route also passes by or near 5 rail stations, food stores, and numerous SEPTA and NJ TRANSIT bus stops. (TRANSIT App link).