Spring Mount Road Bridge to Close for Replacement

Closure on November 4th, Reopen in October 2010

PennDOT has alerted travelers that the Spring Mount Road Bridge, spanning the Perkiomen Creek in Lower Frederick and Upper Salford Townships, is scheduled to close on November 4th for a structure replacement, announced State Senator Bob Mensch (R-24th).

"Having been built in 1869, the Spring Mount Road Bridge has outlived its useful life. The current structure is weight restricted and can only carry one direction of traffic at any given time," said Mensch. The new bridge will accommodate two-way traffic and allow for emergency equipment, such as fire and ambulance services. This will result in quicker response times and better service."

A posted detour will go into effect November 4th. Spring Mount Road through traffic will be detoured via Route 29/73, Park Avenue, and Schwenksville Road. Spring Mount Road will remain open to local traffic, up to the closure points. Ski resort traffic should utilize Schwenksville Road and follow the ‘local traffic only’ signs for Spring Mount Road. Emergency vehicles will be detoured over Route 29/73, Haldeman Road, Dieber Road, and Pennypacker Road. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area.

In preparation for the bridge closure crews have been working this week to improve traffic signals and install emergency pre-emption devices at the intersections of Main Street (Route 29) and Park Avenue and Route 73 and Haldeman Road. Beginning November 4th, crews will close the bridge and begin clearing trees and brush around the structure and relocating a gas main. Demolition of the bridge is expected to start in early December. Crews will replace the existing stone arch bridge with a three-span, pre-stressed concrete beam bridge.

The Spring Mount Road Bridge closed in January 2008 for a week after a supporting wall collapsed. Senator Mensch hosted a series of meetings to voice residents' concerns to PennDOT officials. Mensch stated, "The community's involvement and support is crucial if a project like this is to succeed."

The bridge is a stone-arch structure that is 202 feet long and 17 feet wide and carries approximately 4,200 vehicles daily. Because of its age, the bridge was posted with a 13 ton weight restriction and is inspected yearly. The new structure planned for next year is set to be 28 feet wide with two 11-foot travel lanes and two 3-foot shoulders. The bridge will also accommodate a 12-foot wide bike path that will connect to the Perkiomen Trail.

Loftus Construction Company, Inc., of Cinnaminson, N.J., is the general contractor on the $4,643,000 project that is financed with 100 percent state funds.