Mary Yardley Bridge Replacement Beginning

YARDLEY, PA —"The new Mary Yardley Bridge is coming. The new Mary Yardley Bridge is coming."

The phrase seems like something that someone should be shouting while riding on horseback in the dead of night.

After months of delays and endless discussion by borough officials, work is expected to begin "on or about" Wednesday, Borough Engineer Patrick M. Foley said.

"We've had the bridge for quite a few months," Council President Caroline Thompson said. "The hold-up has been related to permitting and easement documents."

The work to replace the existing Mary Yardley pedestrian footbridge that traverses the Delaware Canal at the westerly end of Fuld Avenue will also mean the closure of the towpath near it and the trail to the bridge from North Main Street, Foley said.

He said that Brubacher Excavating —the contractor performing the work —will make every effort to keep the towpath accessible whenever possible during the project.

"There will be times when this will not be possible due to safety concerns," Foley said, adding that the towpath will be accessible after construction hours and on weekends.

Borough officials said residents should be mindful of all barricades and fencing.

Thompson said while work is beginning, the bridge will not be immediately installed.

She said the project is expected to take 60-90 days from start to finish.

The existing wooden bridge will be replaced with a Fiber Reinforced Polymer bridge.

In addition to replacing the bridge, the area on the east end of the bridge will be regraded. New stone will be placed on the towpath, new gravel will be installed on the approach driveway, and new topsoil and seed will be put in on the adjacent pervious area, according to plan details from Construction Journal.

The project's scope includes:

Yardley Borough has authorized the following work items: Reinforced Concrete Footing and Abutment – East Abutment, Modify Existing West Abutment, Reinforced Concrete Steps – West Bridge Approach, Furnish and Install of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Pedestrian Bridge, and the Project Sign. Along with these major items of work, authorization has also been given for the following ancillary work items: Mobilization, Temporary Erosion, and Sediment Controls, Maintenance and Protection of Traffic, and Site Clearing, Existing Bridge, Thompson said.

Thompson said the following items will be included at a later date: Site Grading, Concrete Landing Pad – East Bridge Approach, Crushed Argillite for Tow Path, 6” Thick, 3⁄4” Diam. Crushed Stone for Gravel Driveway, 6” Thick, Topsoil, Seed & Straw, and Record Documents.