POTTSTOWN PA – For those accustomed to driving on Pruss Hill Road in Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township, and who found themselves at a loss when the road was closed months ago because of its faulty bridge, their Christmas gift from the municipality arrived 11 days ahead of schedule.
Pruss Hill Road was re-opened to traffic Wednesday at 9 a.m., according to Lower Pottsgrove’s website.
Forget Santa. It was Manager Rodney Hawthorne, the township Highway Department, Traffic Planning and Design Inc. (TPD) of Sanatoga, and the Board of Commissioners who delivered the goods.
The road was closed in mid-September after TPD engineers determined the bridge was structurally unsound. Commissioners voted Oct. 24 to make limited repairs to it and restrict crossing traffic to only passenger cars using a single lane. The work was estimated to be finished in about a month; it took longer. That’s OK by resident P.J. McGill of Rivendell Lane.
“Yahoooooooo, it’s been reopened,” McGill exclaimed today in an e-mail to The Post. He’s been a harsh critic of township officials at times, but his note held only praise for Hawthorne, the road crew, and others involved. “Way to go!,” he said to the multitude.
Previously announced restrictions remain. “Be aware of the new traffic pattern,” the website warns.
Traffic movement is reduced to one lane, and cars attempting to cross the bridge from either direction should stop and ensure the lane is clear before moving forward. Vehicles using the bridge must weigh 5 tons or less; all others are banned. Most cars weigh less than the limit; most trucks, buses and other vehicles will exceed it and must use the existing detour route.
Other coverage:
- Pruss Hill Road bridge reopens to traffic (The Mercury)
Related (to Pruss Hill Road and its bridge):
- As Gift Just Before Christmas, Pruss Hill Road Re-Opens
- Pruss Hill Bridge Could Take Longer Than Expected
- Pruss Hill Bridge To Reopen, But As One-Lane Only
- The Problems At Pruss Hill Lurk Beneath Its Bridge
- Pruss Hill Bridge Might Re-Open With Weight Limit
- Bridge Damage Closes Pruss Hill Road ‘Indefinitely’
- Commissioners OK Pruss Hill Road Accidents Study
- Bridge, Guardrail Study Proposed For Pruss Hill Road
- Stop Sign May Be Answer For Pruss Hill Road Crashes
- Pruss Hill Road Guardrail Now Repaired
- Use Caution Driving Pruss Hill Road
- Car Upended On Pruss Hill Road
Good news. An interesting fix. I think this will stop all the speed junkies from running through there at “ditch entering speeds”.
It is a good sign that the township listened to us Woodgate folks and did the best they could to get things opened up again.
I like it, it will also make my travels swifter.