Funding will be used to repair two bridges rated as in poor condition by PennDOT
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA), U.S. Representative Dwight Evans (D-PA-3), and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced $14,245,000 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to repair two bridges in Northwest Philadelphia. The Bells Mill Road and Valley Green Road Bridges over Wissahickon Creek are currently rated as being in poor condition by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
“The infrastructure law is the gift that keeps on giving to Pennsylvania. Across our Commonwealth, we’re delivering crucial funding to repair bridges used by thousands of Pennsylvanians every day,” said Senator Casey. “By rehabilitating the Bells Mill Road and Valley Green Road bridges, we’re improving their longevity and keeping drivers and passengers safe—not to mention protecting access to nearby Wissahickon Valley Park, one of Philadelphia’s greatest natural destinations.”
“Two years ago, the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed just minutes from my home. This incident exemplified the infrastructure crisis we are faced with in Pennsylvania and across the country,” said Senator Fetterman. “The Biden Administration has repeatedly made clear it is committed to investing in American infrastructure. I’m proud to have helped secure these federal funds that will strengthen two bridges in Philadelphia and help keep the countless Pennsylvanians that rely on these bridges safe.”
“I welcome this federal funding that I voted for coming to Philadelphia, to make needed repairs to two bridges as well as environmental improvements,” Congressman Evans said. “Our local delegation’s cooperation continues to help us deliver for Philadelphia and the region.”
“This is tremendous news for Philadelphia, and for residents and others who travel our roads in Northwest Philadelphia on their way to and from Wissahickon Valley Park, a beautiful section of our City,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “I want to thank Senator Casey and our entire congressional delegation for their work on this $14.2 million grant to rehabilitate two bridges over Wissahickon Creek. Thanks to Senator Casey, our delegation and the Biden-Harris administration, Philadelphia has received over $536 million in Federal funds for badly-needed infrastructure improvements and other needs just during our first three months in office. We’re proud of our intergovernmental relationships and collaboration and what it means for every Philadelphian.”
The award is from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant program, established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Since IIJA passed in 2021, Casey, Fetterman, and Evans have delivered more than $14.2 billion in federal funds from the law to Pennsylvania. That includes more than $8 billion in funding for over 600 road and bridge projects and more than $1 billion for high-speed internet.
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