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Staff outlines Elmwood pedestrian‑bridge, stormwater and stream‑bank restoration plan; grant applications underway
Summary
Staff told the Infrastructure Committee the Elmwood project will replace a pedestrian bridge, add park connections, install a stormwater quality facility and restore failing stream banks; multiple grants (DCNR C2P2, a Montco 2040 submission and a county conservation district low‑volume road grant) are being pursued and permits are in review, with construction expected in early 2027 if funding and permits align.
Staff gave a multi‑component update on the Elmwood pedestrian‑bridge replacement and related stormwater and stream‑bank work at the March 24 Infrastructure Committee meeting.
Public Works Director Jeff Elden and engineer Tony Catalazi of Penoni described the project as four parts: demolition of the existing pedestrian bridge, construction of a new bridge on the north side of Elmwood Avenue with improved connections into Elm Grove Park, installation of a stormwater water‑quality facility at the end of Elmwood Avenue to trap sediment and provide rate/volume control, and stream‑bank restoration to replace failing gabion baskets with a more durable boulder wall.
Elden said utilities work (conduit relocations, some pole removals and temporary attachments) is underway and that contractors will schedule some night tree‑clearing; staff will notify neighbors before night work. He said a D permit is in review and that construction could begin in early 2027 if grant awards and permitting align.
On funding, staff said they submitted a Montco 2040 (referenced in the meeting as “MONCO 2040”) application in early March, plan to submit a DCNR C2P2 grant by the end of April, and are seeking a Low Volume Road grant via the county conservation district to cover construction costs. Elden noted the DCNR grant generally excludes some engineering/design costs and that the borough may cover those preliminary engineering fees unless limited engineering is allowed by the grant.
Tony Catalazi confirmed that the existing gabion basket walls are failing and will be replaced with a boulder wall to stabilize the stream bank. Elden said the stormwater facility will require excavation of roughly 20 feet at the end of Elmwood Avenue and will include pedestrian stub‑outs to connect to future phases of park development.
What’s next: staff will continue D permit review with Penoni, await grant award announcements (timeline varies by grant), finalize construction phasing and notify residents before night work and vegetation removal.
