Graterford Road Bridge to Be Replaced in 2015

The Graterford Road Bridge, which was closed by PennDOT weeks ago due to significant structural problems, will be reconstructed in 2015, officials announced Tuesday. 

The bridge, located in Perkiomen Township, was closed on June 19 due to structural deterioration. 

Since then, state Senators Bob Mensch and John Rafferty have met with PennDOT stakeholders and officials from Perkiomen and Skippack townships to develop a plan of action to reopen the bridge.

The bridge, which connects Graterford Road to Route 29, will be replaced using money from a transportation funding law, Act 89, approved by the legislature in 2013.

“Thanks to the funding from the transportation funding bill and the quick action by PennDOT and community leaders, we have a working plan in place to establish a new bridge that will safely carry fire trucks, ambulances, school buses and other vehicles,” Mensch said.

Many travelers are using the Plank Road Bridge as an alternative to the Graterford Road Bridge, which has added to traffic congestion in the area and on Route 29, officials said.  

“We recognize that the bridge closure will result in more traffic congestion. We are working quickly to take action to improve the traffic at those points of congestion,” Mensch said.

“I will remain in direct contact with local elected officials, municipal workers and PennDOT to push this project forward,” said Mensch.