Repairs Could Begin Soon On Closed Randall Avenue Bridge

April 22, 2024

The closed Randall Avenue bridge last year.

The long-awaited repairs on the Randall Avenue bridge, which has been closed since February 2023, are set to begin soon, Bristol Township officials announced.

The bridge spans the Northeast Corridor rail line, a critical artery for Amtrak and SEPTA trains. It also provides a route for those going from Route 13 to Radcliffe Street.

Bristol Township Manager Randee Mazur, formerly known as Randee Elton, announced last week that the local government is working with Skipack-based Haines and Kibblehouse (H&K Group) for temporary repairs.

The repairs will focus on the removal of old concrete decking and stabilization of bridge abutments, Mazur said.

The work will be funded by nearly $3 million from a previous PennDOT grant and a recent $2 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Multimodal Transportation Fund, Mazur stated.

Once completed, PennDOT will allow the bridge to reopen under the previous weight restrictions, Mazur said.

The 169-foot bridge in the Edgely section of Bristol Township was closed after concrete began falling onto the busy rail lines below.

Officials expect the contract with H&K Group to be signed by May and work to start shortly thereafter.

The news follows months of difficulty in securing a contractor willing to tackle the project, because of the bridge’s location over active rail lines and the complexity of the required safety measures.

Mazur expressed gratitude towards Democratic State Sen. Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Tina Davis, both Democrats, for their role in securing the necessary grant funding.

Township officials have faced significant pressure from local residents, especially after a townhall meeting in January where the urgency of the bridge repairs was a major topic of discussion.