Route 291 over Conrail Bridge Replacement

County: Delaware
Municipality: Tinicum Township
State Route: Route 291
Local Name: Governor Printz Boulevard
Project Type: Bridge Replacement
Last Updated: March 2025

PennDOT began construction on Thursday, February 13, 2025, on a $26.5 million project to replace and improve the dual six-span Route 291 (Governor Printz Boulevard) bridge over Conrail railroad in Tinicum Township, Delaware County.  The existing bridges, which are listed in poor condition, carries Route 291 over rail tracks, a gravel access road, and a drainage channel. The project site is adjacent to the Philadelphia Airport Parking Lot and the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge.

The replacement project will provide for a two-span continuous steel multi-girder bridge in the same location. The proposed bridge will be on the same horizontal alignment as the existing structure and will accommodate two, 12’ lanes, an 8’ shoulder in the westbound direction, and an 8' shoulder on the Eastbound side that will be used for a future shared-use path trail connection. The trail connection will be built by another organization after the complete construction of this bridge project. The vertical alignment of Route 291 is being increased to provide the required vertical clearance over the Conrail Railroad. Construction will utilize staged construction consisting of replacing the westbound side of the existing bridge while one lane of traffic in each direction is maintained on the existing bridge. Once the new westbound side is completed one lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained on the new structure while the Eastbound side is constructed. In addition to the bridge replacement, the project will include the following: ​​​

• Approximately 270' of full-depth pavement reconstruction to the west and 320' of full-depth pavement reconstruction to the east.
• Installation of new roadway signs.
• New pavement markings.
• New guiderail.
• Four inlets, two on each approach will be installed in the shoulders of Route 291 to accommodate drainage of the new bridge.
• Traffic signal upgrades will be provided at the Bartram Avenue Intersection.

Beginning Thursday, February 13, 2025, through the completion of the project, motorists will encounter a 24/7 lane closure in each direction on Route 291 (Governor Printz Boulevard) between Bartram Avenue/Scott Way and Stevens Drive .

Drivers are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the work area because significant backups and delays will occur. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.

PennDOT will be maintaining access to the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge throughout construction.

There is also a detour for Pennsylvania Bicycle Route E. The detour takes bicyclists over 4th Avenue, Tinicum Island Road, and Scott Way.

PennDOT is building the project in four phases to keep Route 291 open during construction.

Phase One: Demolish the existing westbound bridge and build the new westbound structure along with the full reconstruction of the westbound lanes.

Phase Two: Demolish the existing eastbound bridge and construct the new eastbound structure along with the full reconstruction of the eastbound lanes.

Phase Three: Reconstruct the roadway median and install pavement markings.

Phase Four: Upgrade signal equipment and install final signs and pavement markings.

J.D. Eckman, Inc. of Atglen, Pennsylvania, is the general contractor on this project, which is financed with 100 percent federal funds.