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LOWER MERION – Over the past year, one of the bridges over Mill Creek on Mill Creek Road in Lower Merion has been struck and severely damaged twice by vehicles.
As a result of the damage, travel restrictions have been placed on the stretch of roadway between Old Gulph and Route 23. The restrictions include closing one lane and stop signs on each end of the bridge.
Now, the township is in the process of approving emergency procedures to get it fixed.
During committee meetings this week, the commissioners approved motions for emergency repairs to the bridge.
Paul McElhaney, director of public works for Lower Merion, said the damage came as the township was planning to have work done on the bridge.
“The Township of Lower Merion desires to quickly begin necessary emergency repairs to the Mill Creek Road S-Bridge,” according to a resolution passed by the board.
According to township officials, the first time the bridge was hit, it caused some damage, but then when it was hit the second time, it took out a large section of the wall.
So, have they been able to find out who struck the bridge?
“The first accident, yes, we did identify and do have insurance money that is being put toward this project. It was a tractor-trailer that ripped the tire off and kept on going,” McElhaney told the commissioners.
But then it was hit again, causing much more damage.
“The second accident, we weren’t able to identify who – but the second accident took out a rather large section of the parapet wall,” McElhaney said.
According to McElhaney, the police have been involved in the investigation, “but they weren’t able to identify the actor.”
The damage to the wall also put the gas line that runs along the bridge in danger, Ernie McNeely, township manager, said.
McElhaney said the bridge would have to be closed during some of the work, but couldn’t give a date as to when it would begin.
“Our goal is to be finished before the [start of] the school year,” McElhaney said.
McElhaney said the work would also include softening the road approaches to the bridge in the hopes of limiting the chances of vehicles hitting it.
The roadway leading to both ends of the bridge forms an “S,” making it difficult for larger vehicles to navigate that stretch of Mill Creek Road safely.
Because this was emergency work, the township did not have to go through the normal longer bidding process.
“Three bids were received from the 19 contractors we contacted. Each invited bidder has successfully completed projects for the Township in the past. The bids range from $351,207 to a high of $606,915. The low bid, submitted by Professional Construction Contractors, Inc, is $151,207 or 75% above the Engineer’s estimate of $200,000,” township officials said about the bidding process in a memo to the commissioners.
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