Credit: Stephen Grosso/Submitted
The newly constructed West Maple Avenue Bridge that crosses Neshaminy Creek to connect Middletown and Lower Southampton is expected to open next week.
The bridge that has been completely rebuilt will open to traffic next Wednesday, PennDOT spokesman Charlie Metzger said Monday afternoon.
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The roughly $7 million bridge is slightly wider and features a small shoulder but lacks any sidewalks. The span also features an arch-style design similar to the previous structure but takes advantage of new construction techniques that require less annual maintenance.
Metzger said construction of the bridge did not run into any major problems and went smoothly. In summer, PennDOT officials said the bridge should be open by December.
PennDOT officials have said previously the new bridge will be better able handle the 11,000 cars that drive across the old span daily.
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The final tally of the project cost will be available in the coming months as some final work is completed and any corrections are made, according to Metzger.
The project closed West Maple Avenue from Old Lincoln Highway in Middletown to Bridgetown Pike in Lower Southampton since July 2014. Despite local traffic and customers of area businesses being allowed to use the road, business owners still noticed a dropped in business.
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Along with the new bridge, PennDOT opened a roundabout at Bridgetown Pike and West Maple Avenue in summer. Metzger said the roundabout has received a positive reaction from residents, and no serious problems have been reported. (BTW, here’s our guide on what a roundabout is and how it works.)
The Brownsville Road Bridge, just a short distance from the West Maple Avenue Bridge, is expected to be replaced in 2016. No firm construction date has been set, Metzger said.
