©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Bridge to reopen soon; repairs done, traffic issues remain
By JENNIFER KATZ

The bridge at St. Martin’s train station on Willow Grove Avenue is set to reopen after being closed for repairs for three months. (Photo by Kristin Pazulski)

Repair work to a deteriorated steel beam on the Willow Grove Avenue Bridge is complete, but traffic concerns must be addressed before the bridge is reopened.

That was the word from department spokeswoman Keisha McClarty-Skelton last week. She said the department was working to correct “traffic issues.” Attempts to learn more about those “issues” this week were unsuccessful, as the department did not return calls from the Local by press time.

Streets Commissioner Clarena I.W. Tolson announced the bridge’s closure on March 9 “in response to a determination that emergency repair work” was needed.

SEPTA officials initiated the inspection after Streets Department officials determined that one of the curb steel beams, known as a “stringer,” needed to be replaced. Officials said the beam had most likely deteriorated over time because of storm water runoff. It is dangerous to have an exposed steel beam because the rail line is electrified, officials said.

The bridge unit of the Streets Department’s highway division performed the repairs. Department officials have said that it is still necessary to ensure that the bridge is safe for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

For the past several months, traffic has been detoured to Gravers Lane and Springfield Avenue. The train station at St. Martin’s Lane has remained open.