Morrisville Borough has entered into a services agreement with Amtrak as part of the train company’s desire to replace the Washington Street Bridge.
Details of Amtrak’s overall plan are not fully developed, but for any work to move forward Amtrak will pay for the services of the borough engineer, solicitor and code enforcement, etc., said borough attorney Scott Holbert of Flager & Associates. Amtrak is placing $50,000 into a escrow account, since this is going to be labor-intensive work, he said.
Part of the general plan is to replace the bridge entirely, lowering the height of a new one which will in turn call for the street to also need lowering, Holbert explained. The services agreement does not fully detail the specifics of the expected work, it simply sets up the escrow account, he added.
Amtrak initiated the services agreement idea, officials said. Work on the area surrounding the Pennsylvania Avenue section of Amtrak tracks has also been mentioned but discussions remain ongoing, officials said.
No target dates for the expected bridge replacement have been announced by Amtrak officials.
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