Randall Avenue Bridge Work To Be Finished Next Week

Final repairs to the Randall Avenue Bridge are expected to wrap up by Christmas Eve.

Contractor Loftus Construction is finishing the remaining work, including center line striping and the installation of new guardrails to replace damaged sections, said Township Manager Randee Mazur.

Despite the completion of repairs, the bridge cannot reopen until PennDOT’s inspection contractor submits a safety report approving the span for public use.

“Hopefully by January that bridge will be open,” Council President Craig Bowen said, noting the community’s patience during the closure.

Due to the fact the bridge crosses the active Amtrak Northeast Corridor, SEPTA, and freight tracks, the inspection requires Amtrak to temporarily shut down rail service to allow crews safe access underneath the span, officials said..

Bowen expressed frustration with the timeline, citing the “bureaucracy” involved in coordinating with state and federal agencies.

“To clear that up, the township’s done with the work. Now, we have to wait on the bureaucracy, which is PennDOT and Amtrak,” Bowen said. “They have to get under (the bridge) to inspect. Amtrak has to shut one of the rails down to get under there.”

The bridge, which was originally built in 1919, has been closed since early 2023 after concrete began falling onto the tracks below.

The current $2.75 million repair project aims to restore the crossing.

When the bridge does reopen, it will initially feature only a base coat of pavement. A final top coat is scheduled for application in the spring, officials said last month.

At last month’s council meeting, township officials addressed the bridge’s weight limits.

Before the closure, the bridge had a 3.5-ton restriction that was frequently ignored.

While the recent repairs may lead to an increased tonnage rating, the township plans to reopen the bridge at its current rating to avoid further delays, pursuing a formal re-rating process at a later date, officials said.

The current repairs are considered a temporary step to reopen the bridge.

Officials estimate a complete replacement or extensive overhaul of the bridge could cost as much as $25 million, and the township is currently working to secure funding for a more extensive future project.