Route 926 bridge reopens with ribbon cutting
Bridge rehabilitation completed after eight months
POCOPSON » The rain is on notice. It’s not allowed to flood the Route 926 bridge anymore.
After an eight-month wait, the Route 926 bridge, spanning the Brandywine Creek in Birmingham and Pocopson townships, was reopened Friday afternoon to 13,200 vehicles per day.
Along with construction of three new spans, the $8.6 million project was built at a higher elevation, with 1,700 feet of roadway raised, which everyone involved hopes will prevent flooding on the busy roadway.
A culvert over Radley Run was replaced with an 84-foot twin arch culvert. Creek Road at the Route 926 intersection was also realigned for 800 feet.
A festive Friday morning ribbon cutting was held at the new 315-foot long bridge.
When asked by a speaker how many of those present had been impacted and traveled over the span daily, about 90 percent of the 200 attendees raised a hand.
State Rep. Stephen Barrar, R-160, added to the festivities. He said that when the ribbon was cut, school starts.
“Anyone have a complaint with that?” asked the state rep. Many in the audience packed with children raised their hands and smiled.
Contractor Clearwater Construction, of Mercer County faced many weather-related obstacles and had a huge incentive to finish the job by the time school buses start rolling over the roads this fall.
The contractor faced a fine of $3,000 for each day the work extended past Labor Day.
Crews worked 10 hour days, six days per week to get the job done early, officials said.
State Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-156, said that it was a joy to be one the first to walk across the new bridge.
“This bridge helps us connect history and progress,” Comitta said. “Everybody’s got a story about this bridge and how they got around it for eight months.
“We’re working together to improve people’s lives and making our community a little bit better.”
Chester County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Michelle Kichline was thrilled to stand on the bridge and view the simple beauty of the river and surrounding area.
She said this was the best turnout for a ribbon cutting she’d attended. Kichline was pleased that so many children showed up to the ribbon cutting.
When George Dunheimer, assistant district executive for construction at PennDot, said the stateowned bridge would soon be open to traffic, someone in the crowd, without missing a beat, yelled out, “What time?”
All 200 motorists who had faced the regular detours and delays laughed.
The new bridge’s appearance mimics the original 79-year-old bridge, with stone form liners that will cover the piers so they resemble the original ones.
The old bridge was built in 1937 and rehabilitated in 1974. The original span was 190 feet long, 26 feet wide and was posted with a weight restriction of 26 tons, and 33 tons for combination loads.
The new bridge was built to last more than 100 years. With a higher weight restriction and five-foot shoulders, tractor trailers will be able to easily travel over the wider bridge.