Sellers Avenue Bridge over Amtrak Reconstruction Project

County: Delaware
Municipality: Ridley Park Borough
State Route: 2031, 2004
Local Street Name(s): Sellers Avenue/Ward Avenue, East Ridley Avenue
Project Type: Bridge Reconstruction
Start Date: April 2023
Estimated Completion Date: Bridge Open Summer 2026 and Project Completion Summer 2027
Construction Cost: $9.8 million
Construction Funding: 100% Federal
Contractor: Road-Con, Inc.

This project is for the reconstruction of the bridge that carries Sellers Avenue over Amtrak in Ridley Park Borough, Delaware County, to ensure a safe and efficient crossing for all modes of transportation.

Under this $9.8 million project, PennDOT's contractor will remove and replace the Sellers Avenue bridge superstructure with a 75-foot-long concrete box beam bridge with two 12-foot travel lanes and sidewalks on both sides. New concrete material will be placed behind the existing stone masonry abutments to increase stability. 

As part of the reconstruction project, Amtrak will be constructing new railroad catenary supports, removing the catenary attachments to the bridge, and reprofiling their catenary lines.  Once that work is completed, PennDOT’s contractor will erect a temporary pedestrian/utility bridge that will allow pedestrians to travel safely over the tracks between East Ridley Avenue and Hinkley Avenue.  SEPTA’s Ridley Park Station will remain open and in service throughout construction.

On Friday, October 6, PennDOT opened the newly constructed temporary pedestrian bridge. 

Additional roadway improvements will also take place on the approach roads to the bridge on East Ridley Avenue, Sellers Avenue/Ward Avenue, and Hinkley Avenue. The improvements include upgrading the drainage system; performing full-depth pavement reconstruction; hardscaping; landscaping; and installing ADA curb ramps, sidewalks, and new traffic signals.

The modernized traffic signals and emergency vehicle preemption (EVP) equipment will be installed at the Sellers Avenue and Swarthmore Avenue Intersection. EVP equipment, which provides a green light for emergency vehicles while motorists are stopped at a red light, will also be installed at the East Ridley Avenue and Swarthmore Avenue Intersection.

The 51-foot-wide, single-span steel girder bridge, was built in 1904 and reconstructed in 1952. The bridge carried approximately 3,404 vehicles a day before its closure on July 20, 2022.

As of September 12, 2023, there is a comprehensive progress report (PDF).