Bridge Openings, Traffic Issues Can Be Texted, Emailed

Since early May, customers have signed up for a service that sends text or email messages about issues that may affect their commute.

The service, sponsored by the Burlington County Bridge Commission, notifies customers of the Tacony-Palmyra and Burlington-Bristol Bridges of scheduled bridge openings and other traffic issues. It has reached 3,356 devices. 

"This notification service has been a great success,” said Commission Chairman John Comegno in a recent release. “Beyond the thousands of motorists who have opted to receive alerts, we’ve heard positive things from our customers, and thanks for providing this service.”

Motorists have signed up to receive notices by email, text message or both. They can also choose to receive messages related to the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, the Burlington-Bristol Bridge, or both bridges.

While messages sent so far have been about upcoming bridge openings, future messages may also notify subscribers about vehicular accidents, traffic issues, or planned construction work that may affect their commute.

Because the bridges open “on demand” (upon vessels’ requests), advance notification isn’t always possible, but when adequate advance notice is provided, the Nixle system notifies registered users. Notification to the commission varies greatly so the timetable for notifications via Nixle varies accordingly.

The service is free of charge, both to the Bridge Commission and to the users (if the users’ cell phone carrier charges for text messages, users will incur that charge, but there is no “opt-in” or per-message charge imposed by the Bridge Commission).

Users can sign up at www.nixle.com or by sending a text message to 888-777 (type “TACPAL” to receive alerts related to the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge; type “BBBB” to receive alerts about the Burlington-Bristol Bridge).

“For the 40,000 people who cross our bridges every day, who are already saving money on tolls, this service is a bonus,” said Comegno. “Now we’re saving them time and money.”