Local residents are set to have their voices heard at an upcoming town hall meeting focused on the closure of the Randall Avenue bridge.
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Bristol Township Manager Randee Elton announced plans for the meeting last week, noting it would be for residents most affected by the bridge’s closure. She noted a date is still being determined.
The Randall Avenue bridge is a vital link between Route 13 and Radcliffe Street that has long required repair work. Concerns escalated last winter when significant deterioration was observed, leading to the bridge’s emergency closure in February.
The closure remains in affect and is expected for the near-term.
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Officials from Bristol Township recently engaged in discussions with Amtrak and other officials to explore new inspection and repair options. The focus is on devising a strategic plan to address the bridge’s issues moving forward, Elton noted.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Officials have said the bridge could be taken down or repaired, but both will cost many millions of dollars.
The township has faced challenges in securing a hi-rail truck that is approved by Amtrak for a thorough underside inspection of the bridge.
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A potential contractor is reportedly drafting a proposal to aid in this effort.
Township Engineer Kurt Schroeder last month highlighted the involvement of a bipartisan group of lawmakers assisting in the evaluation of repair options for the decaying structure.
Schroeder noted that a detailed assessment of the damage is crucial.
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The bridge, spanning 169 feet in the Edgely section, not only crosses Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor but also SEPTA’s Trenton Line and freight rail routes.
Constructed in 1919, the Randall Avenue bridge was deemed to be in poor condition by PennDOT. Its closure followed incidents of falling debris onto the ground and rail lines below, underscoring the urgency of remedial actions.
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