PennDOT announced that the bridge carrying Allentown Road over Licking Creek in Milford Township was reopened today following railing repair by Bucks

A PennDOT worker makes repairs to the Allentown Road bridge over the Licking Creek in Milford Township.

County Maintenance. The bridge had been closed since February 23, 2023, when the structure's railing was damaged in a vehicular crash.

            A project to fully replace the bridge, and the bridge carrying Route 663 (John Fries Highway) over Licking Creek, is currently in design and scheduled for a construction bid opening in early spring 2024.

The two-span Allentown Road bridge was built in 1935. The concrete encased, rolled steel I-beam structure is 44 feet long, 24 feet wide, and carries approximately 4,368 vehicles per day.

            Milford Township Manager, Jeffrey Vey, commended PennDOT for their "remarkable" response to the Allentown Road Bridge closure.

            On February 23rd, the Allentown Road Bridge just north of Rt. 663 was closed indefinitely due to damage from an accident.  On February 24th, Milford had a meeting with PennDOT officials, State Senator Coleman's office and State Representative Statts office.  This was followed up by a field meeting with Milford and PennDOT to review alternatives on Feb. 27th.

            This closure was particularly urgent with Old Bethlehem Pike and Portzer Road being closed for the roundabout construction.  In addition, this bridge will be replaced in the next few years, so repair investment would be lost.

            "It is fortunate that Mike Quali is Bucks County's Assistant Manager for PennDOT Maintenance.  His experience with construction and administrative procedures was essential to move these repairs in coordination with PennDOT's District 6-0.", Vey said.

            "But Mike is the first to point out that it is his people who made this happen. Paul Pfeifer (Bridge Foreman), Rob Kondyra (AKA Rob the welder) Tim Hunt , Drew Lindenmuth and Sarah Holtz (operators) all showed a sense of duty and pride in their workmanship.  This is how government should work.  What we anticipated optimistically to be a closure for a month and probably more became a 10 day turnaround reusing and strengthening materials on the existing bridge.  This could not have happened without the dedication of PennDOT's people in the field."