In 2002, the DRJTBC completed the Southerly Crossings Corridor Study which recommended certain improvements at the Scudder Falls Bridge and along portions of I-95 to relieve current and future congestion and to improve safety. The study concluded that:

• The Scudder Falls Bridge currently carries about 59,500 vehicles per day (2003) and operates at the worst level of service (LOS F) during peak rush hours in the morning and afternoon. A level of service F means that it operates under the most extreme conditions of congestion. By 2030, traffic volumes are expected to increase an additional 30% to about 76,500 vehicles per day further increasing congestion.

• Within a half mile of the Scudder Falls Bridge there are two interchanges that are poorly configured -- the Route 29 Interchange in New Jersey and the Taylorsville Road Interchange in Pennsylvania. The lanes in these interchanges are not adequate to safely handle the current volume of traffic.

In January 2003, the DRJTBC signed a Memorandum of Agreement with PENNDOT and NJDOT to proceed with the environmental studies and preliminary design for the I-95/Scudder Falls Bridge Improvement Project. These organizations agreed to use PENNDOT's Project Development Process to fulfill the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process requirements.