BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, PA — Following sustained federal coordination led by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), the Randall Avenue/Edgely Bridge is scheduled to reopen Wednesday, January 14th after receiving final safety clearance from PennDOT’s bridge inspectors and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. This reopening restores a critical local connection after nearly two years of closure.
From the outset, Fitzpatrick served as the central liaison between Bristol Township and Amtrak, helping ensure the access and coordination necessary for repairs over an active rail corridor to proceed safely and responsibly.
“The moment it became clear the bridge had to close, the work began. Together with Bristol Township, Amtrak, and our federal partners, we focused on what was required to restore safety—carefully and responsibly. This bridge connects a community, but the responsibility to protect people always comes first—a principle that guided every step forward,” said Fitzpatrick.
“We recognize the significant inconvenience this extended closure has caused residents, businesses, and emergency responders. The reopening of the Randall Avenue Bridge restores an important local connection and reflects the Township’s continued commitment to public safety and infrastructure investment,” said Bristol Township Manager Randee Mazur, “and we are grateful to Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick for his continued support, partnership, and his coordination efforts with AMTRAK representatives to address project requirements, scheduling considerations, and operational needs associated with the bridge’s proximity to the rail corridor.”
The township-owned bridge was closed in early 2023 after inspections identified serious structural deterioration, including falling concrete and debris over the active Amtrak and SEPTA rail lines below, as well as significant damage to key structural components. Because the bridge spans an interstate rail corridor, progress required federal-level coordination to align local ownership, rail access, and safety requirements.
As part of that effort, Fitzpatrick hosted Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner in Bucks County in January 2024 to review safety conditions at the bridge and maintain close coordination as repairs moved forward.
With traffic set to resume, Fitzpatrick emphasized that the work to address long-term infrastructure needs continues:
“Reopening is an important milestone,” said Fitzpatrick. “But we must—and will—continue working together to ensure the infrastructure serving this community is reliable and built to last.”
With that objective in mind, Fitzpatrick is continuing to work long-term with leaders in Bristol Township and Washington, D.C. to advance a permanent infrastructure solution. Through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process, Fitzpatrick is pursuing Community Project Funding to support the construction of a new bridge and extension of Haines Road over the existing railway corridor and North Radcliff Street. Since 2021, Fitzpatrick has secured nearly $53.1 Million for Pennsylvania’s 1st, ensuring projects such as this that address long-term safety, improve regional connectivity, or support economic growth are possible.
Together, the bridge’s reopening and the pursuit of a permanent solution reflect Fitzpatrick’s efforts to resolve urgent safety issues, restore public access, and continue the work necessary to deliver infrastructure that meets the demands of the future.
Background:
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick played a leading bipartisan role in passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) during the 117th Congress—legislation that reshaped the federal approach to repairing aging infrastructure, strengthening transportation safety, and modernizing critical systems nationwide.
Because of that effort, Pennsylvania is now the fourth-largest beneficiary of IIJA funding, receiving a guaranteed minimum of $17.8 billion to repair roads and bridges, modernize transit systems, strengthen rail safety, and support large-scale infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth. That federal investment has directly benefited Bucks and Montgomery Counties, helping address long-standing infrastructure needs while positioning the region for long-term growth.
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