Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge Bid Approved As Funding Questions Remain

Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved a nearly $1 million construction bid for the proposed Newtown Creek pedestrian bridge, but the project's remaining funding needs — and the status of a potential additional $100,000 in state support — remain unsettled.

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At their September 9 meeting, supervisors unanimously voted to accept a $985,850 bid from Road Con, Inc. At a previous BOS meeting, approval of this bid was "subject to additional funding from the Newtown Creek Coalition," which developed the project.

To date $1,029,979 in state grants have been procured: $999,979 through the Statewide Local Share Account and $30,000 through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Lawmakers Pledge To Seek More Money

State Sen. Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Perry Warren said in a September 2 letter that they would work together to secure another $100,000 in state funding. The letter responded to a Coalition request for $264,528 in additional assistance attributed to rising construction costs.

"We look forward to commitments from Newtown Township, Newtown Borough, and/or private funding source(s) to contribute any further funds needed to close the gap," the lawmakers wrote.

The letter expresses support and an intention to obtain the money; it does not itself establish that the additional grant has been awarded. The funding report says a $100,000 grant was mentioned at the supervisors' meeting, while the Coalition's public fundraising information reviewed October 18 listed about $1.03 million in state grants received.

Lowest Bid Selected

Road Con, Inc. submitted the lowest revised bid of four contractors in a second round of bidding opened July 16. The revised figure reflects a change from cable fencing to wooden slip-board fencing along the approach trails. Howell Engineering recommended Road Con, Inc. for the work.

The Coaltion report puts the projected basic project cost at $1,122,600, including $985,850 for construction, $116,750 for engineering and oversight, and $20,000 in administrative expenses. That total is $92,621 more than grants reported received ($1,122,600 - $1,029,979).

According to my review of Newtown Bills lists to date, approximately $118,000 of grant funds had already been spent, leaving a balance of $911,590. That balance is about $74,260 less than the construction bid alone. Separately, the Coalition estimates the entire project will cost approximately $1.3 million — about $270,000 more than the total received grants.

NOTE: To reduce immediate expenses, $46,000 in amenities, including signage, seating, benches and a trail spur, have been deferred for possible future fundraising.

Howell Engineering

What Happens Next?

The unanswered questions include whether the proposed $100,000 state contribution has been formally awarded, how much funding the coalition must provide to satisfy the township's condition, and how the Coalition's broader $1.3 million estimate relates to the project's baseline construction budget.

For now, the bridge has a selected low bidder and conditional approval, but the question remains "where will the additional required funding come from?" Even with an additional $100,000 from the state, the Newtown Township and Borough may still need to contribute funds to get the project completed.

Source: Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge Project: Funding and Bid Award Status (October 18, 2026). View the legislative correspondence.