Sellers Avenue Bridge over Amtrak Reconstruction Project

County: Delaware
Municipality: Ridley Park Borough
State Route: 2031, 2004
Local Street Name(s): Sellers Avenue/Ward Avenue, East Ridley Avenue
Project Type: Bridge Reconstruction
Estimated Completion Date: Bridge Open Summer 2026; Project Completion Summer 2027
Construction Cost: $9.8 million
Construction Funding: 100% Federal
Contractor: Road-Con, Inc.
Last Updated: April 2026

This project is for the reconstruction of the bridge that carries Sellers Avenue over Amtrak in Ridley Park Borough, Delaware County, to ensure a safe and efficient crossing for all modes of transportation.

Under this $9.8 million project, PennDOT's contractor will remove and replace the Sellers Avenue bridge superstructure with a 75-foot-long concrete box beam bridge with two 12-foot travel lanes and sidewalks on both sides. New concrete material will be placed behind the existing stone masonry abutments to increase stability. 

As part of the reconstruction project, Amtrak will be constructing new railroad catenary supports, removing the catenary attachments to the bridge, and reprofiling their catenary lines.  Once that work is completed, PennDOT’s contractor will erect a temporary pedestrian/utility bridge that will allow pedestrians to travel safely over the tracks between East Ridley Avenue and Hinkley Avenue.  SEPTA’s Ridley Park Station will remain open and in service throughout construction.

Additional roadway improvements will also take place on the approach roads to the bridge on East Ridley Avenue, Sellers Avenue/Ward Avenue, and Hinkley Avenue. The improvements include upgrading the drainage system; performing full-depth pavement reconstruction; hardscaping; landscaping; and installing ADA curb ramps, sidewalks, and new traffic signals.

The modernized traffic signals and emergency vehicle preemption (EVP) equipment will be installed at the Sellers Avenue and Swarthmore Avenue Intersection. EVP equipment, which provides a green light for emergency vehicles while motorists are stopped at a red light, will also be installed at the East Ridley Avenue and Swarthmore Avenue Intersection.

The 51-foot-wide, single-span steel girder bridge, was built in 1904 and reconstructed in 1952. The bridge carried approximately 3,404 vehicles a day before its closure on July 20, 2022.

As of September 12, 2023, there is a comprehensive progress report (PDF). 

In fall 2023, a temporary pedestrian bridge was constructed over the existing bridge to allow pedestrians to safely cross the railroad tracks during construction. The temporary pedestrian bridge was relocated in December 2024 as construction progressed.

The newly-built sidewalk will be open to Sellers Avenue pedestrians on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, under this $9.8 million project.

Pedestrian traffic will be directed to use the new west sidewalk over the rail lines. The temporary crossing will be closed and removed the previous night.

Additionally, local drivers are advised that Hinkley Avenue, a locally-owned roadway, is closed to through traffic for several months between Morton Avenue and Sellers Avenue, including the intersection with Sellers Avenue. A local detour will direct through motorists to the bridge detour route on Swarthmore Avenue.

The Sellers Avenue bridge over AMTRAK rail lines has been closed since July 20, 2022. The new bridge is expected to reopen this summer while additional work on the project will continue through 2027.