Ardmore Avenue Bridges In Haverford Reopen

HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP, PA — Back in July 2019 the Ardmore Avenue bridges in Haverford Township closed for complete bridge replacement work. Now, the bridges are open again.

PennDOT Monday said the bridges are open after a roughly year-and-a-half closure.

The bridges spans Cobbs Creek and SEPTA’s Norristown High-Speed Line.

PennDOT crews replaced the two bridges entirely due to poor condition because of their age, state of deterioration and the lack of adequate shoulders and approaches to the structures.

The bridge over Cobbs Creek was built in 1935, and the structure over SEPTA tracks dated back to 1927.

PennDOT said the new bridge over the SEPTA tracks is 55 feet long and is a reinforced concrete box beam structure that is supported by new reinforced concrete abutments. Also installed were five new retaining walls and two new ADA ramps that provide ADA-compliant access to the SEPTA Norristown High Speed Line station. These structures have architectural surface treatment to replicate stone which was chosen in coordination with local stakeholders

The bridge over Cobbs Creek is a reinforced concrete arch culvert that spans 32 feet and has two new adjacent retaining walls. These structures have natural stone facing that was chosen to reflect the character of the adjacent Merion Golf Club which is a National Historic Landmark.

PennDOT said sight distance was also improved under this project for motorists traveling on the bridge over SEPTA, allowing better visibility of oncoming traffic. In addition to the bridge replacements, the project completed reconstruction of the roadway between Golf House Road and Haverford Road to accommodate two 4-foot wide shoulders and two 12-foot wide travel lanes.

Sidewalks on the new bridge over SEPTA tracks are closed to pedestrians and the temporary bridge remains in place for access to the SEPTA station.

Ardmore Avenue motorists may experience temporary travel restrictions in the coming months for the installation of the permanent bridge fencing and ADA ramp railings.