The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is looking to install an overhead 115-foot pedestrian bridge to carry trail users over a hazardous crossing at Route 724 in Monocacy. The crossing is a part of the Thun Section of the Schuylkill River Trail.
On March 21, Bob Folwell, trails manager for the Heritage, presented the proposed bridge options to the Union Township Board of Supervisors.
The estimated cost of the project is $1 million including construction and soft costs. Construction costs do slightly vary depending on which design is chosen; however, the engineering and other soft costs all fall within the $310,000 to $320,000 range – a cost that cannot be avoided for a bridge like this, according to Folwell.
“The purpose is to create a crossing for the conflict area at the intersection [of Main Street and Route 724],” said Folwell.
The Heritage is currently trying to get as much design work done as possible and will then apply for state and federal funding, according to Folwell. There would be no cost to the township.
Each design meets the following criteria: the minimum vertical distance is 17 feet or greater, all work is within the existing sight distance for 55 mph, abutment locations are outside of the clear zone for 55 mph, trail width is 10 feet, shoulders are 3 feet each and no impact to nearby Six Penny Creek. It is also required that all horizontal curves satisfy a 20 mph design speed, all vertical grades are between 0.5 percent minimum to 4.65 percent maximum and the cross slope is between 1 percent minimum and 2 percent maximum.
Option 1 and 2 are both curved alignment designs using concrete as the main building material. Option 1 is slated to run 102 feet; option 2 would be 115 feet and is located further from the intersection than option 1. The third option – at 175 feet – calls for a tangent alignment and would use steel.
The use of steel presents two estimates depending on what type is used. According to Folwell, concrete would last longer than steel – a material that tends to have a shelf life.
The Heritage favors the second option and seeks approval from the supervisors to move forward.
“Do you need an answer tonight?” asked Supervisor Donald E. Basile.
Folwell said no, but would like consideration soon to meet a June 15 application deadline. There was no other discussion about the bridge among the supervisors.
The project would likely be a two- to three-year process, as the Heritage would need to work with PennDOT and gather the appropriate environmental permits.
There is currently a steep slope on both sides of Route 724 along the trail path. The slopes were created by a railroad bridge that was removed prior to the trail’s creation along the railroad bed.
The pedestrian bridge would ensure the safety of trail users. Folwell described the bridge as a “small footprint” with little impact on the surrounding environment. The Heritage would be responsible for the bridge and inspections would be required every two years.
The Union supervisors previously reviewed the proposal at their Feb. 15 meeting.
