Narberth Avenue Bridge Reopens

The Narberth Avenue bridge has reopened to traffic after a 4 1/2-month closure and a roughly $300,000 repair project, officials announced Tuesday.

PennDOT ordered the bridge closed in late August after an inspection turned up unsafe deterioration in parts of the support structure—the second failed inspection and closure in a year.

Borough officials voted 5-2 to repair the bridge, with the dissenting voters (and some residents) arguing that the money would be unwisely spent since the bridge is set to be torn down and rebuilt. That project could begin as soon as early 2014, but many local business owners voiced support of the repairs, saying customer traffic was hurt by the closure.

What effect will the reopening of the Narberth Avenue bridge have on the downtown business district? Do you think the $300,000 commitment was worth it? Please tell us in the comments section below.