Two local lawmakers announced Wednesday Bristol Township is receiving $2 million for the Randall Avenue Bridge project.
State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D -10) and state Representative Tina Davis (D-141) said the funds will go towards repairs and renovation of the bridge that’s been closed for 13 months due to public safety concerns brought to light last year.
The lawmakers said the funding comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Multimodal Transportation Program.
Santarsiero, Davis, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R- PA-1) with township and Amtrak officials participated in a town hall community meeting earlier this year to hear from, and to inform concerned citizens about the myriad of challenges faced by the township in completing a full evaluation of the bridge.
Interestingly enough Amtrak officials outside of introducing themselves added little commentary about the bridge, the work needed to be done or a replacement bridge being constructed and installed during the town hall.
“The repair and reopening of the Randall Ave Bridge is critical for the safety of Bristol Township residents,” Santarsiero said.
The cost of replacing and/or renovating the bridge is estimated at upwards of $25 million. The township has already set aside close to $1 million for work to be done on the bridge. Challenges such as when to schedule a special safety inspection Amtrak requires before any work can be done have frustrated any progress to be made.
The bridge, which according to officials, has over 400 vehicles on it daily, is over 100 years old and like many other commonwealth bridges requires at the very least, improvements but unlike many of the bridges which the state owns and operates, the township is solely responsible for the span and maintenance of this bridge.
“Residents have been very patient throughout this process and we owe it to them to ensure critical public safety personnel can get to them in a timely manner, ” Davis said. “ I am hopeful that with this funding we’ll make that goal a reality very soon.”
“With these grant funds we will work to restore and reopen the ‘Edgeley Bridge’, while continuing to seek funding will continuing to seek funding for a much-needed full Bridge replacement, council president Craig Bowen said.
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