Arcola Road Bridge Will Reopen Friday

The day has finally come.

The Arcola Road Bridge will open on Friday, July 1 at 3 p.m., Montgomery County announced.

The bridge was closed in August 2013 after it was found to have structural issues. Upper and Lower Providence residents who used the bridge to get to and from Collegeville and Phoenixville have had to detour either via Ridge Pike or Egypt Road and Route 422.

Many of the detour routes had been bumper to bumper at rush hour, and frequently at other points during the week.

The length of time it took to complete the bridge has been a matter of controversy in the area, as residents noted that workers were seemingly absent from the work site last fall.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

The public is welcomed to join officials from the state, county, and PennDOT in celebrating the opening at the corner of Arcola Road and Level Road.

Because limited parking is available, attendees are invited to carpool.

Officials urged motorists to use caution as the bride reopened.

"It's been a long time since we've used the bridge and the residential streets surrounding it. Please be careful when in the area, these roads and the people that live on them haven't seen this kind of traffic in almost three years," the Lower Providence Fire Department said in a statement.

Officials also noted that the bridge now permits emergency vehicles. Weight limits previously restricted travel over the bridge.