The Hunterdon Democrat published the following article on May 24, 2013. To read the full article, click here.
Delaware River pedestrian bridge rededicated on 130th anniversary of Brooklyn Bridge; they share a connection
By Renée Kiriluk-Hill/Hunterdon Democrat
on May 24, 2013 at 4:59 PMDELAWARE TWP. — The Brooklyn Bridge was dedicated 130 years ago and today “another great bridge” was rededicated to mark the end of a $3.2 million rehabilitation project by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, township resident Karl Darby told a crowd gathered under a tent at Bulls Island State Park.
The bridge that takes park visitors in New Jersey over the Delaware River to Pennsylvania, he said, is “one of the finest structures ever connecting Lumberville and Raven Rock.”
People laughed, understanding that mention of the Brooklyn Bridge wasn’t a stretch in this case, because both bridges were built by John A. Roebling’s Sons Co. Darby was the man to make the connection — he’s a descendant of John Roebling’s second son, Ferdinand. and chairman of the Roebling Museum in Florence.
The multi-faceted rehabilitation project began in early March, enhancing the appearance and condition of what the bridge commission says is a “rare, multi-catenary
footbridge,” built in 1947 by Roebling.The ceremony’s theme was “Connecting Communities, Canals and the Past.” The pledge of allegiance was led by veterans from American Legion Edgar H. Denson Post 79 in New Hope, Pa. Delaware Township resident and Hunterdon Central High School freshman Alexandra Switzler sang the national anthem.
Two men who needed jobs after Navy service in 1947 and were hired as laborers to build the original bridge helped cut the ribbon and were the celebrities of the day. Jim Bishop, 87, and Gale Casey, 86, live in Lambertville and have been lifelong friends who also worked a variety of jobs, including ones at the former hosiery mill in Lambertville and the General Motors plant in Ewing.
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