Warminster Road Bridge Officially Reopens

HATBORO, PA —Borough residents received a Valentine's Day gift on Wednesday: the Warminster Road Bridge has reopened.

Borough officials said the new bridge which connects Hatboro and Upper Moreland Township officially opened to traffic at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday.

Detour signs have been removed from the area and vehicles are now welcome to travel over the bridge.

"We thank PennDOT for working to get this bridge opened today as scheduled," borough officials said.

An estimated 11,783 motorists who travel over the structure daily.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation had worked on the bridge project, which went through several delays, for 10 months.

PennDOT initially said the project to replace the 136-year-old bridge that goes over the Pennypack Creek would take six months.

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.

PennDOT told the borough that the contractor will return in the spring to complete additional work on the project. That date has not been determined.

There will be an interruption to traffic once again to complete the final work, officials said.

Borough officials said while many travelers were disrupted and traffic increased throughout the borough, the project was necessary.

Besides the bridge being replaced, the project also included new sidewalks, lighting, utility upgrades, and much-needed stormwater improvements.