Warminster Road Bridge Completion Delayed

HATBORO, PA —While beam work is expected to begin next week, the Warminster Road Bridge project's completion will be extended for another two months.

The six-month project to replace the 136-year-old bridge that goes over the Pennypack Creek and connects the borough with Upper Moreland Township started slowly, borough officials said.

PennDOT had told the borough that the project should be completed at the end of October. But PECO utility work was also delayed, pushing the project's timetable back.

Now, construction will last until the end of the year.

"The project will be delayed," Borough Manager Diane Hegele told Borough Council at its meeting on Monday night. "There have been a lot of setbacks with the weather. The area floods and they have to get the site dry."

On Monday, PennDOT is expected to replace beams on the bridge between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Motorists should expect a lane closure with flagging on Warminster Road between Mill Road and Lancaster Place.

Drivers are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the work area because backups and delays will occur. The schedule is weather-dependent.

PennDOT is replacing the 136-year-old concrete-encased steel beam structure with a prestressed concrete box beam bridge that will be 110 feet long and 38 feet wide.

The new bridge will allow for wider lanes and shoulders to improve traffic safety for the estimated 11,783 motorists who travel over the structure daily.

Other improvements under this project include constructing a five-foot-wide sidewalk for pedestrians; installing new signs, pavement markings, guide rail, and a pedestrian rapid flashing beacon signal on the south approach; and resurfacing the approach roadways.

Allen Myers, LP of Worcester, PA is the general contractor on the $3,830,278 project, which is financed with 100 percent state funds.

During the project, the Warminster Road Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic between East Mill Road and Surrey Lane.

Two detours will be in place around the bridge closure: one for motor vehicles (Byberry Road, Davisville Road, Terwood Road, and Route 263) and one for truck traffic (County Line Road and Route 611).