Pottstown Allocates $400,000 for Urgent Norfolk Southern Bridge Repairs

During the November 5 Committee of the Whole meeting, Pottstown Borough Manager Justin Keller informed the council of the pressing need for repairs on the Evans and Franklin Street bridges spanning the Norfolk Southern railway.

These structures have been classified as requiring Priority 1 repairs, indicating immediate attention is necessary to ensure public safety.

Norfolk Southern has awarded a contract valued at $1 million to commence the rehabilitation work, with construction potentially starting as early as December.

In collaboration with Norfolk Southern and Montgomery County, borough staff have successfully reduced the project's scope and cost.

The revised design maintains pedestrian access by narrowing vehicle lanes and directing foot traffic onto existing ADA-compliant ramps.

Pedestrians will be guided onto roadway shoulders, which will be separated from vehicular lanes by curb-mounted delineators.

This approach eliminates the need to remove and replace concrete sidewalks, resulting in a cost reduction of approximately one-third from the initial estimate of $1.5 million.

Under a prior Public Utility Commission (PUC) finding, the borough is responsible for 40% of the project cost, amounting to roughly $400,000.

Manager Keller recommended utilizing funds already reserved in the borough's capital savings plan to cover this expense.

He noted that resources initially set aside for the fully funded Washington Street bridge replacement—now supported by state and federal Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) dollars—can be reallocated to assist with the current project.

Unless there are objections, staff will collaborate with legal counsel to review the PUC filing and proceed under the outlined conditions.

Efforts to identify additional savings will continue in partnership with the traffic engineer and Norfolk Southern.

However, moving forward promptly is advised to ensure repairs commence as scheduled.

Proposed next steps include a final legal review, proceeding under the awarded contract, and reporting back to the council with any adjustments identified during the final engineering review.

In related developments, Pottstown is experiencing significant growth and revitalization.

The Pottstown Area Economic Development (PAED) organization is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a special luncheon on November 13, 2025.

This event will honor six decades of economic growth, partnerships, and revitalization efforts in the borough.

Additionally, Dwight City Group, in collaboration with PAED, is undertaking projects to add 110 new apartments to Pottstown.

These developments aim to blend modern amenities with respect for the borough's history, contributing to the ongoing transformation of the community.

Furthermore, Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) has initiated construction to convert a parking lot at its Pottstown Campus into a green space.

This project is designed to benefit both students and the community, enhancing the campus environment and providing a new area for gatherings and events.

These initiatives reflect a concerted effort to address infrastructure needs while fostering community development and growth in Pottstown.