Board authorizes final design for Stover Road Bridge, citing permit, right‑of‑way and schedule needs

Lower Salford Township supervisors voted July 1 to authorize final design services for the Stover Road Bridge, clearing the way for environmental and geotechnical studies, permitting and limited right‑of‑way acquisitions ahead of advertising for construction.

Stephanie, presenting the township’s engineering memo, said the preferred design is a large box culvert (about 22 by 8 feet with 1 foot buried) paired with 10‑foot travel lanes and 5‑foot shoulders, and that the preliminary hydraulic analysis meets the 100‑year floodplain requirement. She said the project will require a joint permit rather than a general permit and that the design will include required guide rail and minor driveway adjustments for adjacent properties.

“We are looking to finalize the right‑of‑way line so that we can start that process with the three property owners,” Stephanie said, describing a plan to minimize impacts and coordinate driveway adjustments with affected owners. She also noted wetlands in the work area that will be addressed through the permitting process.

The consultant presented a schedule tied to municipal bridge reimbursement rules: finish preliminary engineering this month, pursue permitting (estimated 8–12 months), advertise in mid‑2026, and target construction in the following season so the project can be closed out for the municipal‑bridge program timeline that culminates on Aug. 1, 2028. The presentation stated the township expects to submit a single final invoice for engineering, right‑of‑way, construction and inspection and receive up to 80% reimbursement under the program.

Council members discussed aesthetics and access near the Neckl property and asked staff to consult neighbors about driveway configurations and guardrail appearance. Stephanie said the team will try to preserve the existing wing wall and minimize disturbance while meeting safety and hydraulic requirements.

The board then moved to authorize Bowman’s final‑design proposal dated June 30, 2025 “as presented.” The motion was moved and seconded; the board voted in favor.

Project cost figures presented in the packet and discussed during the presentation included an estimated $71,000 for preliminary engineering, final design and right‑of‑way tasks in the application and a total design/contract amount shown as $610,000. The presenter said the current estimate is about $90,000 below what was included in the municipal reimbursement application. She said construction administration and inspection tasks will be budgeted separately and that PennDOT plan inspection for the culvert fabrication will be included as required.

Next steps: the engineering team will finalize right‑of‑way lines, begin permitting work for a joint permit, commence environmental and geotechnical investigations, and begin landowner coordination for the limited acquisitions and driveway adjustments. The board’s authorization at the July 1 meeting allows staff to execute the consultant agreement and move into final design.