New Worthington Mill Road Bridge Reopens Ahead Of Schedule

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA — The Worthington Mill Road Bridge reopened on Wednesday five months ahead of schedule and with two lanes of traffic, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

The bridge, which carries approximately 2,600 vehicles daily over the Neshaminy Creek, has been closed since September 2021 when the approaches sustained heavy deterioration from flooding caused by Hurricane Ida.

Construction began in late August 2022 on a $4.5 million project to replace the bridge, which spans the Neshaminy Creek between Wrightstown and Northampton townships. Work was estimated to be completed in the summer of 2024.

Under the contract, H&K Group, Inc., of Skippack, removed and replaced the 68-year-old, single-lane structure with a wider three-span composite pre-stressed concrete structure measuring 84 feet in length and 32 feet in width. The new bridge will carry two lanes of traffic across the structure, replacing the one-lane span.

Dennis Morgan, who lives on the Northampton Township side of the bridge, said he's thrilled the span will be opening earlier than expected and with two lanes of traffic.

The one-lane bridge, above, and its replacement, a two-lane bridge, below. (Photos by Jeff Werner)

Since the bridge closure, he has had to take the long way around to visit his son in Newtown.

"What usually took me 10 minutes to Newtown shopping and my son’s home, at times took a 1/2 hour depending upon traffic on Routes 232 and 332," he said. "The old bridge was always in disarray with potholes so large you could actually see the creek below. Every year it would be closed for repairs and a few months later the potholes would reappear.

"I hate to say it but it was worth the wait," said Morgan. "The new bridge is beautiful and will be safe for bicyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and vehicles. I applaud PennDOT on a job well done."

The new bridge under construction in August 2023. (Photo by Jeff Werner)