PA Governor Rendell Cuts Ribbon Opening New DeKalb Street Bridge in Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, Pa., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell joined local officials today to open the new $8.4 million DeKalb Street Bridge carrying Route 202 North over Norfolk Southern railroad tracks in Bridgeport Borough, Montgomery County.

"Today we open this impressive new bridge and restore a critical traffic link between Bridgeport and Norristown," Governor Rendell said. "The new DeKalb Street Bridge will benefit commuters and local businesses for years to come and it is a vast improvement from the 80-year-old, structurally deficient span it replaced.

"I thank the merchants for their patience during construction. This restored link will move more than 28,000 vehicles a day. It is the kind of nuts and bolts transportation investment we must continue to make."

The construction project lasted 21 months. The new bridge has two lanes in each direction and shoulders on both sides. It is 62 feet wide and 308 feet long. The shoulder on the west side of the bridge is wider to accommodate the future Chester Valley Trail extension. Lighting on the bridge is consistent with Bridgeport Borough's streetscape project.

Crews also replaced the existing abutments, widened the approaches, and improved traffic signals at the intersections of DeKalb Street (Route 202 North) with Route 23 (4th Street) and Front Street.

The old DeKalb Street Bridge was built in 1928 by the Reading Railroad Company. The railroad company owned the bridge until PennDOT assumed ownership in 1996.

PennDOT acquired 16 parcels and relocated 26 residents and one business for this project. Several buildings adjacent to the bridge were demolished prior to construction.

J.D. Eckman Inc. of Atglen, Chester County was the general contractor on the project financed with state funds.

Media contacts:
Charles Metzger, PennDOT; 610-205-6801
Gary Tuma, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116