A project to beautify and improve accessibility to the Bristol regional rail train station was approved Monday night by Council.
Called the “Bristol Station Mobility Hub the effort is on behalf of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), SEPTA and the borough. The project includes the installation of new bike racks, murals highlighting Bristol’s history and will improve access to circuit trails in the area, officials said.
Transportation Planner for the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Marissa Volk said Council was provided with eight designs involving four themes:
Beautification Efforts– Historical Murals
Creating Visible Connections to nearby the trail network, bus stops and the “Rush Bush”
Pedestrian Improvements will include painted curve extensions like those existing on Mill and Radcliffe Streets, Volk said.
Improvement for bike enthusiasts such as new lane bike lane markings would be created by Public Works, including new signage for Rush Bush and the circuit trail.
Project costs will be paid for by SEPTA and DVRC which will come in at about $12,5000, Volk said.
Officials made sure to point out the project is separate from the planned overhaul at the SEPTA station, which is still in negotiations, Bristol officials said.
This project is a near term effort and will build upon existing station infrastructure with no new concrete to be poured, Volk said.
The overall goal is to make accessing SEPTA Bristol Station more accessible for pedestrians and bicyclists, potential riders and residents in adjacent communities, Volk said.
With final and full approval, officials said, the work could begin as early as this summer and as late as this fall.
Monday night’s vote was to approve the overall project idea, not the specific details.
In a related council news, Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III announced that Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) informed officials that funds for a sound barrier have been earmarked for the Harriman section of town.
“The purpose of this project is to upgrade the existing trail and streetscape along Trenton Avenue within Bristol Borough. The asphalt trail will be brought into compliance with Americans with Disabilities (ADA) standards and the proposed project includes construction of a transparent sound barrier between the residential neighborhood and the 4-rail Amtrak railroad corridor” Fitzpatrick said.
In recent years increased train activity during overnight hours has caused many sleepless nights, have awakened east ward officials in the middle of the night. DiGuiseppe said a sound study will be required before any actual work is performed in the section running from Trenton Avenue to Green Lane. The mayor was effusive in his praise for Fitzpatrick’s help in getting Bristol the funds needed for the project.
Funding for the project comes from community project requests which are part of118th Congress, which was included in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, Fitzpatrick said. A little more than $1.7 million has been put aside for construction of the sound barrier, the congressman said.