Bustleton Branch Updates

“The bridge failed.”

That’s the way PennDOT engineer Javier Salgveiro explained the recent closure of the Holme Avenue Bridge. Amid technical jargon about bridge decks, rebars and beams, Salgveiro, two other PennDOT employees and John Buckley of Buckley Construction explained why the bridge closed last Monday while crews were in the middle of repairs.

Conrail is not required to paint the trestle, she explained, because doing so is a “beautification,” not a “maintenance” effort. If the HCA wants the trestle painted, it will have to foot the bill — roughly estimated to be between $6,000 and $10,000 — itself or seek donations. Conrail would waive the application and other fees.

“If they do one, they have do 1,000 more,” Jenofsky explained to Holmesburg residents, “and it’s not a small little project.” There’s liability to be considered, because the bridge is connected to wires, and part of Frankford Avenue would likely need to be closed to accommodate the crew.