Ferry Street Bridge Reopens Over Delaware Canal in New Hope

NEW HOPE, Pa., Aug. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and New Hope officials today gathered at the Ferry Street Bridge over the Delaware Canal to celebrate reopening the span to residents and tourists in the historic Bucks County borough, as well as visitors to adjoining Delaware Canal State Park.

Owned by the Bureau of State Parks, the new bridge rejoins residential and business sections of New Hope divided by the canal. It also affords easy access to Delaware Canal State Park, a heavily visited ribbon of greenery stretching from Easton, Northampton County, to Bristol, Bucks County.

"This beautiful new span provides easy access to the Delaware and all that our park provides," said DCNR Secretary Richard Allan. "For all of you who patiently awaited this new, beautiful structure, today is indeed a day for celebration."

Deteriorating conditions forced DCNR to replace the former 50-year old bridge. Located east of South Main Street, the span had been closed to all traffic since Dec. 5, 2011. The canal towpath passing underneath also was closed in the construction area.

The new, 58-foot-long span, consisting of steel I-beam and concrete decking, will carry one lane of traffic in each direction. Replicating the historic look of other area canal bridges, the new bridge's substructure was finished with a stone façade and timber railing and trusses.

The project was awarded to Loftus Construction, Inc. of Cinnaminson, N.J. Costs totaled about $1.5 million from DCNR's Keystone Fund, which is generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax.

For more information on Delaware Canal State Park and any of Pennsylvania's other 119 state parks, www.dcnr.state.pa.us (Select "Find a Park").

CONTACT: Terry Brady, 717-772-9101

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources