July 19, 2016
@SenSabatina/Twitter
Elected officials cut the ribbon to reopen the Holme Avenue Bridge.
Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians will have an easier time moving around in Northeast Philadelphia a month earlier than expected.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced on Tuesday the completion of construction on the Holme Avenue Bridge that hangs above the Roosevelt Boulevard in the Rhawnhurst section of the city.
State officials celebrated the reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The bridge is officially open! @LtGovStack @PennDOTNews pic.twitter.com/TDBM4ZWxyi
— Sen. John Sabatina (@SenSabatina) July 19, 2016
“The new bridge will ease congestion and enhance safety and mobility for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists crossing over Roosevelt Boulevard,” state Lt. Gov. Mike Stack said. “This major improvement project is a prime example of PennDOT working with local officials, businesses, civic organizations and residents to champion a transportation improvement project that will better serve commuters and communities across northeast Philadelphia.”
Work began on the nearly $16.8 million project in September 2014 and was scheduled to be completed in August 2016. However the contractor, Buckley & Company, Inc., finished a month ahead of schedule.
The new bridge features four travel lanes and two turning lanes for motor vehicles, 14-foot wide outside lanes for cyclists, and 10-foot wide walkways for pedestrians.
State Senator John Sabatina provided video on his Facebook page:
A new traffic signal was also installed to improve access to emergency services at the nearby Nazareth Hospital.
When construction began in 2014, the two separate Holme Avenue bridges carried an average of 22,000 vehicles per day. The bridges needed to be replaced because they were structurally deficient, PennDOT officials said.
