PROJECT
Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge
The Newtown Creek Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge is a joint project between the Newtown Creek Coalition (NCC), Newtown Township, and Newtown Borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Spanning the Newtown Creek between Frost Lane in Newtown Borough and North Sycamore Street in Newtown Township, the bridge will provide safe pedestrian and bicycle circulation between the residential and business districts of both municipalities. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.
Honoring Newtown’s History
The bridge will be built next to the historic stone piers for the Old Trolley Bridge, over which an electric trolley ran from Bristol to Doylestown until 1923. Designed by Howell Engineering of West Chester, PA, the new bridge construction will emulate late 19th century wooden railroad bridges.
Bridge Design & Features
The new bridge will be approximately 170 feet long, with paved approaches through wooded areas on both sides. Utilizing natural materials, the project is designed to blend into its surroundings. Wire mesh railing on the bridge will minimize obstruction of the views both from the bridge and from the creek banks. Pedestrian overlooks on the bridge will provide views of the creek and the adjacent stone piers. Subtle path lighting will provide safety at night. The project will also include a landscaped seating area and a path leading down to the creek’s edge. Educational signage is also planned to illustrate the history of the original bridge and trolley line, as well as the role Newtown played in the history of transportation systems and commercial development of Bucks County.
Economic & Quality-of-Life Benefits
This project will benefit the area’s economy, as well as improve the quality of life for the wider community. Currently, northern Borough and Township neighborhoods adjacent to the proposed bridge do not have any safe pedestrian or bicycle crossings over the creek and, therefore, no direct route to the extensive business district along Sycamore Street and Durham Road in the Township. Similarly, the bridge will provide safer and more direct pedestrian and bicycle access to the commercial center of the Borough for Township residents living west of Sycamore Street. By connecting with the existing Newtown Trail, the bridge will also expand availability of recreational areas for residents of both municipalities. Encouraging transportation between these areas by foot or bicycle will also result in a reduction in vehicular traffic on area roadways and the lessening of parking congestion in commercial areas.
Support the Bridge Project
The NCC is managing a fundraising campaign on behalf of Newtown Borough and Newtown Township and is seeking donations to secure the necessary funding to complete the project. To date, $1,030,000 in State grants have been received. The cost of the project is estimated to be $1.3 million.
Interested donors are invited to contact Michael T. Sellers, Esq., NCC President, at newtowncreekcoalition@gmail.com.
ANOTHER NCC PROJECT