Terwood Road Bridge Replacement Ahead of Schedule

Local motorists may not have to use the Washington Lane detour as long as expected. According to PennDOT, the could be finished about a month ahead of schedule.

Motorists have been using the detour that follows Route 63 (Old Welsh Road) and Washington Lane since construction began on March 15 to overhaul a structurally damaged bridge that stood since 1925. With the replacement ahead of schedule, Terwood Rd. could reopen anywhere from 4-6 weeks early.

The contract called for construction to be completed within seven months and Oct. 14 was the last possible day for it to be done.

“The bridge on Terwood Rd. is going very well,” PennDOT safety press officer Jenny Robinson said. “They are planning the new deck for the bridge this week, weather permitting. It could possibly open sooner than our contracted date. Possibly soon after Labor Day.”

New beams are already in place, and other work like paving still needs to be done before the detour is taken away.

“They had to set new beams to set and support the bridge,” Robinson said. “That’s been done. The underneath structure is all done. So they are putting in the new deck and there is still some additional work.”  

The project – headed by Loftus Construction Inc. of Cinnaminson, N.J. – will cost $858,650 and is funded completely by the state.