Narberth Borough Council on June 26 voted to approve an extension of the borough’s reimbursement agreement with PennDOT through the end of construction for the Narberth Avenue/Amtrak bridge project, clearing a paperwork requirement the borough’s staff said is necessary for PennDOT reimbursement and to allow the next phase of construction inspection contracts to proceed.

Jesse Gormley, representing the bridge consultant team, told council, “What actually needs to be extended is the borough’s reimbursement agreement with PennDOT,” and said that PennDOT will not execute the construction inspection agreement until the borough’s reimbursement window covers the end of construction.

Council approved the extension unanimously. Staff said the action is procedural and is required to secure PennDOT reimbursements for eligible project costs and to allow construction-inspection consultant contracts to be executed.

During debate several council members pressed for clearer public communications about the project timeline. Multiple councilors noted the schedule in project materials had shifted from earlier estimates and asked for a written explanation of why the projected end date had moved; one councilor said the latest schedule included an end-of-construction date in 2029 and asked for a written account of what changed since earlier estimates that were shorter.

Town staff and consultants said the schedule reflects updated sequencing needs (including utility and catenary work) and seasonal limits on certain railway construction tasks. The municipality’s project manager agreed to provide a written schedule and an explanation of timeline changes for council and resident distribution as soon as a contractor schedule is available.

Councilors also authorized staff to send the formal extension letter to PennDOT; borough staff said PennDOT’s district-level executive was prepared to sign on receipt of the council action. The vote clears a necessary administrative step that staff said the borough must complete before issuing a notice to proceed to the next construction-phase contractor.

Ending: Council members asked for a written explanation of changes to the construction timeline to give to residents; staff said they will circulate the contractor schedule and a narrative of the reasons for the revised timeline when available.