Warminster Road Bridge Reopening Date Announced

HATBORO, PA —The recent storms pushed back the reopening date of the Warminster Road Bridge, which has already suffered several delays after the project was launched last year.

Borough officials were informed on Monday that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is planning on reopening the bridge sometime in mid-February.

Residents have peppered the Borough Council at recent meetings regarding their displeasure with delays on the project, which has snarled traffic and caused concerns since another bridge project is planned that is also expected to bring road closures.

Borough Manager Diane Hegele was also told by PennDOT officials that the bulk of the work, which includes paving and line painting, could be delayed once again depending on the weather.

Officials have stressed to residents that their hands are tied on the project since the bridge and road are state-owned and that the project is shared between Hatboro and Upper Moreland Township.

"While we understand that many are inconvenienced by this project and the borough has seen an increase in traffic due to the project, we cannot expedite this project," borough officials said.

PennDOT initially said the project to replace the 136-year-old bridge that goes over the Pennypack Creek and connects the borough with Upper Moreland Township 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.

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

Two detours are 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).