Starting in the Spring of 2019, Upper Hanover Township will be undertaking an ambitious project to replace six bridges over the next six years at a projected total cost of $3.2 million.

            According to Township Treasurer Ben Fiorito, Upper Hanover maintains 27

The Fennel Road Bridge over Stormy Run Creek in Upper  Hanover Towhnship, is scheduled to be replaced in 2019.

bridges.  Of them, 14 are under 20-feet in length and subject to municipal inspections while the other 13 are over 20-feet in length and subject to PennDOT inspection.

            Many of them were built in the early 1900's and the early 1930's.

            In September, the township engineer, LTL Consultants, LTD, recommended that six of these bridges be scheduled for replacement in the next five to ten years.

            The bridge replacement project covers spans in both categories and the sequence in which they'll be replaced is based on condition.

            Fiorito emphasized that "none of the bridges are in danger of collapsing" and that a responsible repair and replacement program is being proactive.

            A multi-million dollar project like this could put a strain on any municipal budget, but Fiorito added, "This is one of the reasons we have a capital reserve."

            Years ago, the township recognized that these bridges would be a future liability and established a Capital Reserve Fund.

            According to Fiorito, "Over the past eight years, this Board, has been very deliberate in building up the Capital Reserve Fund, by adding $3.5M, during this period.  As part of the 2019 Budget planning, the Finance Committee presented a six-year financial plan, projecting how we could handle the financing of the replacement of these bridges over a six-year period.  The plan calls for using a portion of the General Fund and a major portion of the Capital Reserve Fund."

            The township would also seek grant monies where they might be available to offset some of the expense.

            The first bridge scheduled to be replaced carries Fennel Road over Stoney Run, between Geryville Pike and Wonziegler Roads.  The cost is projected at $225,000.

            The bridge and cost for each of the following years is: Taggart Road bridge over the Macoby Creek, between Edgeview St. and Wasser Road ($650,000); Ott Road bridge over the Macoby Creek, between Quakertown Ave. and Morgan Hill Drive ($650,000); St. Paul's Church Road bridge over the Macoby Creek, between James Road and Brookview Drive ($800,000); Mack Road bridge over Molasses Creek, between Kutztown and Hock Roads ($250,000); and Lesher Mill bridge over the Perkiomen Creek, between Palm Hill Road and Tollgate Road ($650,000).