Contractor to be Hired for Randall Ave Bridge Work

A contract to have work completed on the Randall Avenue Bridge will be signed with a contractor, Bristol Township officials said at Thursday night’s Council meeting.

Township Manager Randee Elton said she and township engineer Gilmore and Associates have been closely working with Amtrak and a contractor. Elton revealed the name of the contracting firm is Haines and Kibblehouse based in Chalfont.

We’re almost ready to enter into a construction agreement with Amtrak and to award the construction contract to H & K.

Their work will be on the decking removal of concrete from the bridge area.

A $2 million multi-modal grant the township received will pay for the abutment work, Elton said, saying the plan last year was to do both projects together.

Credit: Laughs for Recovery

When the work is complete, “PennDOT will allow us to open up the bridge at the current weight limit restrictions,” Elton said.

Officials said the contract and agreement will be signed in about three to four weeks and construction start dates will be announced at that time also.

The 169-foot span bridge in the Edgely section of the township has been closed since February of 2023 after chunks of the bridge fell onto the ground and onto the Amtrak and SEPTA rail lines below. For 14 months Township officials have worked feverishly reviewing solutions, applying for grants, speaking, and meeting with  civil construction companies and leveraging county, state, and federal officials seeking help.

In January state and federal officials with Amtrak came together for a community meeting that members of the public attended also. Locals voiced their frustration with the lack of progress in getting the bridge reopened.  The Amtrak officials that did attend never spoke a word during the town hall.

Sitting over the Edgely section of the township the 169- foot span bridge was constructed in 1919 and is listed as being in “poor condition” by PennDOT. The bridge is seen as a vital connector to motorists, first responders, and local businesses.

Elton said once the work is completed and the bridge operating and then we can continue working on getting a replacement bridge, which we all know we’re going to need.