Bristol Borough is continuing its push to find funding to replace the shuttered Maple Street Road Bride and continued infrastructure improvements.

In a late agenda item addition the Borough Council voted to approve submitting applications for a disaster relief grant under the FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Program

The program is a sustainable action that reduces or eliminates long-term risk to people and property from future disasters.

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 the 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.

Borough Manager Jim Dillon said additional projects are associated with the application besides hoping to be granted  $700,000.00 for a replacement bridge. Namely $55 K for a Green Lane flood study and to obtain funds for a home damaged on Cedar Street during last years flooding.

Residents have long complained about flooding on Green Lane. Its one of the first areas to flood inland during heavy rain fall.

The Borough received a grant for slightly less $344 K from Bucks County in 2017 to improve access to the bridge area for pedestrians. No word on whether those funds are still available or were used, considering the current conditions in the area surrounding the bridge.

Council approved the resolution unanimously

In a unrelated infrastructure effort Council  awarded a contract to G & G Electrical in the amount of $24,059,38 for upgrades to the Mill St  St Parking Lot lighting panel. That work along with the current construction taking place at the lot, officials hope, will be completed by the beginning of the outdoor festival season that brings thousands to the Borough.

The second electrical project proposed, originally scheduled to be voted on for borough tunnel street lighting, was put on hold,  Dillon said because other options are being weighed.