Section 3509 - Increased commerce on Delaware river; duty of commission The Delaware River Joint Commission created under the authority of the act, approved the twelfth day of June, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one (Pamphlet Laws 575), entitled "An act providing for joint action by Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the development of the ports on the lower Delaware River, and the improvement of the facilities for transportation across the river; authorizing the Governor, for these purposes, to enter into an agreement with New Jersey; creating The Delaware River Joint Commission and specifying the powers and duties thereof, including the power to finance projects by the issuance of revenue bonds; transferring to the new commission all the powers of the Delaware River Bridge Joint Commission; and making an appropriation," and a similar act of the State of New Jersey, is hereby directed to exercise its function in effectuating the purpose of Article I, paragraph (g), of the compact authorized by the aforesaid act, which reads as follows: "(g) The promotion of increased commerce on the Delaware River, both freight and passenger, and, for this purpose, the publication of such literature and adoption of such means as may be deemed appropriate," and in addition thereto to formulate a specific action program for the following purposes:
(a) The promotion of the navigable section of the Delaware River and Bay extending from Trenton, New Jersey, and Morrisville, Pennsylvania to the Atlantic Ocean as a highway of commerce;(b) The making of recommendations to the proper authorities for the improvement of terminal, lighterage, wharfage, warehouse and other facilities, necessary for the promotion of commerce on the Delaware River;(c) The making of a report on any other factors which may be of mutual benefit to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the State of New Jersey insofar as concerns the promotion of the development of ports along the Delaware River, and the use by commercial vessels of their facilities;(d) The investigation of the necessity for additional means of communication between the Ports of Philadelphia, and Camden, and the sea, and making of such studies, surveys and estimates, as may be necessary to determine the feasibility and cost of any such additional means of communication;(e) The conducting of an investigation for the purpose of formulating a specific plan and report relative to the need for and advisability of constructing additional tunnels or bridges across that section of the Delaware River extending from Trenton, New Jersey and Morrisville, Pennsylvania to the Delaware Bay;(f) The exercising of any or all other lawful functions delegated to the Commission by the compact under which it operates pertaining to the development of port and transportation facilities.1947, June 13, P.L. 598, § 1.