The Keim Street span across the Schuylkill River has been closed for more than 10 months
Click to enlarge this image at Google Maps
POTTSTOWN PA – What happens next with the now-closed Keim Street bridge across the Schuylkill River, which made it easier to commute from U.S. Route 422 and Route 724 in Kenilworth north to both Lower Pottsgrove and Pottstown via Industrial Highway, could be decided next Monday (Aug. 8, 2011) by the Montgomery County (PA) Commissioners.
During its meeting last month, members of the Pottstown Area Traffic Group reportedly were told the county Planning Commission would recommend county commissioners approve the approximately $150,000 cost of a study to determine alternatives for re-opening the bridge. It was barricaded last October after being deemed structurally deficient and potentially hazardous.
The study would be conducted by Traffic Planning and Design Inc. of Sanatoga, and would include an analysis of whether the existing bridge could be sufficiently repaired; whether it should be replaced in its current location, or relocated to realign it with other roads to improve traffic flow; or whether it should remain closed or be dismantled.
Announcements about the bridge, made Monday (Aug. 1) to the Lower Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners by Scott Exley, president of Bursich Associates, the township’s engineering firm, left at least one board member scratching his head. “We’re planning to spend this money just to decide our next move?,” asked a somewhat incredulous Commissioner James Phillips.
“That’s right,” Exley answered.
Both the township and borough have made accommodations for motorists who must now take other routes to cross the river while avoiding the bridge. In January (2011), the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation erected a traffic signal for increased safety at the intersection of Moser Road and Industrial Highway, on the border line between the municipalities, to better control heavier traffic in the area. They share the cost of its operation.
The traffic group meets monthly, and consists of representatives from state Sen. John Rafferty’s office, Lower Pottsgrove, Pottstown, North Coventry, Chester and Montgomery counties, and the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association.
Related:
- Next Move On Keim Street Bridge Possible Next Week
- New Traffic Solution On Keim Bridge Detour Route
- Now Official: Keim Bridge Closed For ‘Foreseeable Future’
- With Keim Bridge Out, Signal Coming In To Lower Pottsgrove
- Supervisor Prefers New, Re-Aligned Bridge At South Keim
- Keim Street Bridge To Be Closed At Least Eight Weeks
Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners’ meeting of Aug. 1):
- Next Move On Keim Street Bridge Possible Next Week
- Several Report Interest In Township Planning Vacancy
- Army Band May Return, Thanks To Impressive Crowd
- Whack Away At Unsightly Weeds, Township Pleads
- July Tax Payments Trickle In At A Rate Of $528 Per Day
- Tax Settlements: An Awful Lot Of Paperwork To Net $677
- Lower Pottsgrove’s June 2011 Warrants Now Online
- Bridge, Guardrail Study Proposed For Pruss Hill Road
- Township 2009 Sex Offender Law ‘Might Not Stand Up’
- Commissioners OK KenCrest ‘Temporary’ Grenhouse
- Commissioners Gather For First August Meeting
$150,000 for the cost of a study? Really???? Just put that money towards fixing/replacing the bridge. I imagine that the contractors would be competent enough to say what needs to be done in order to make the bridge safe. Given that is their job.
It’s nearly impossible to make this stuff up, April! I suspect that’s why Jim Phillips was so surprised too. Thanks for your comment, and your readership.