This Is Lower Merion And Narberth

Serving the Main Line Community

Narberth Bridge, Making Slow Progress With Bureaucracy, But Still, Years Before You’ll Drive Over It Again

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Narberth Bridge

Narberth Avenue Bridge Update

  • An official inspection has been completed. The Borough will receive the inspection report next week.  The bridge will remain open to pedestrians during a majority of the construction process.
  • The Borough Engineer (Pennoni) submitted revised traffic plans to PennDOT on July 20th.  At our August 17th meeting, PennDOT reported they need an electrical plan that also needs to be reviewed by Amtrak.
  • The Borough has come to an agreement with Amtrak for the final easement.  Once some additional supporting documents are complete, Borough Council will review this easement as early as their September 22nd meeting.
  • The Pennsylvania Utility Commission needs to approve the project.  The PUC informed the Borough in early August that it will not review the project until PennDOT and Amtrak have completed their reviews.
  • Various utilities on the bridge need to be relocated, notably a PECO gas line.  The Borough Engineer reported on July 6th that progress should be made on this task by the end of September.  
  • Once the previous items are resolved, the Borough will have to hold a public meeting, and a final vote to begin construction.
  • Borough Council will also need to hire a construction inspector for the project.  I’ve met with various firms to discuss the project.
  • After that, Amtrak has to allocate funding for the project.  The Borough will be working with our federal elected officials to try and get this funding in place as soon as possible.
  • Once construction begins, it is estimated to take 18-24 months.  I was warned that the first six months will show little progress due to the nature of this job, and will then move forward much more quickly. 
  • The Borough will have to pay the full amount of any construction invoices received, and will then apply for reimbursement from PennDOT and Amtrak.  I have a meeting with Public Financial Management to get the necessary funding for cash flow on this project on September 8th.  A proposal will be made to Council this fall.
  • In addition, Borough Council will need to select a new piece of art. The Borough has assigned four artists to submit art for the Infrastructure Committee to review.  We were unable to do this review at our August 24th meeting, so it will be on the agenda for the September 28th meeting.
As noted previously, this project is of the utmost importance to the Borough.  Please feel free to contact me directly at 610-206-3341 or sbryant@narberthpa.gov with any questions.

Samantha Bryant, Narberth Borough Manager