The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires projects involving a federal action to be evaluated for potential environmental impacts. Projects whose impacts are not known or not expected to have any significant impacts go through an Environmental Assessment (EA). The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC) in cooperation with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT), New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), and Federal Highway Association (FHWA) decided to prepare an EA for this project.

The consultant team conducted an EA for this project using PENNDOT's Project Development Process. All reasonable design alternatives and their potential impacts were documented, and the public had multiple opportunities to provide input. The EA process has provided the DRJTBC, FHWA, PENNDOT and NJDOT with the information they will require to determine the most appropriate course of action to meet the Purpose & Need of the project.