Bristol Borough approved a bidder for the Maple Beach Bridge project earlier this month with officials saying work on the project could begin as early as this fall.

Council voted unanimously to approve the bid of Loftus Construction, Inc of a little more than 2.1 million to reconstruct the bridge.

Bristol announced its plans to apply for a set of federal grants earlier this year, with approval from Council to apply for a grant valued at $700,000.00 for the replacement bridge as part of infrastructure focus.

The bridge which was constructed over Otter Creek in 1915, and is now closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic, although locals still use it, connects Bristol Borough and the Maple Beach section of Bristol Township.

If replaced, a bridge could allow easier access to the borough water treatment plant and public works buildings, plus potentially easing traffic flow on Old Rt 13, which experiences heavy traffic flow during rush hours and for major borough related events. Council approved an ordinance at Monday night’s meeting to prohibit parking on either side of Old Rt 13, and Mill Street to Otter Creek as another way of easing traffic flow targeting the heavy flow of traffic into Bristol for major events/

The Borough received a grant for slightly less than $344 K from Bucks County in 2017 to improve access to the bridge area for pedestrians. Bristol officials confirmed those funds are still available and will be used for the rebuild project.

Borough officials also noted The Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority committed to providing funds for the project but specifics were not discussed.

Fuller said there is a little more work to be done, but is hoping Council will be able to have a motion to vote for the replacement bridge project come August.

Borough Engineer Amanda Fuller of Gilmore and Associates said a full package of funding for the bridge replacement project has been secured to fully fund the entire project, adding she is searching for additional funds for work related to the project to be performed.

An extensive cleanup of the bridge area will be needed, as garbage on and around the bride area was noted in a visit to the site earlier this month. There was also evidence of people living along the bridge area too.

Bidding on the project was opened in May, Fuller said with several proposals received prior to Council’s approval this month.

Borough Manager James Dillon said work could be begin as early as this fall but more than likely will begin early spring 2023.

There is zero cost to taxpayers borough officials said due to the package of public and private funding obtained for the project.

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In related Council news, an amended agreement between the Portnoff Law Associates and the Borough was approved for the collection of delinquent municipal claims. Additionally in a separate motion, Council members approved the advertising of an ordinance for added fees to be  added as part of  fees collected on delinquent municipal accounts.

Council also approved a resolution to apply for a multimodal transportation funding grant for  traffic improvements at the intersection of Radcliffe and Mill Sts for the amount of $414,000.00