PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Reading & Northern Railroad opened a new $14 million bridge over the Lehigh River on Tuesday, completing a project that was a 20-year effort of railroad owner and CEO Andy Muller Jr.
Muller Jr. was at the controls as the first train crossed the Nesquehoning Bridge Phase 2, which connects the R&N’s Reading and Lehigh Divisions, allowing an expedited move between Reading and the Scranton area. The bridge was built with public funding and a 30% match by the railroad.
“This bridge represents a dream come true for me and the railroad,” Muller said in a press release. “I began working on this project as soon as we purchased the Lehigh Line from Conrail in 1996. … This bridge will improve the efficiency of rail transportation in our area of the state creating a stronger climate for sustaining and creating jobs by helping existing businesses grow and attracting new enterprises. This bridge was built on time and on budget and is testament to the great work of our Reading Northern employees and our primary contractor, J. D. Eckman.”
The real question is why this bridge was a 20-year effort. Was it coming up with funds or all the bureaucracy associated with getting the multitude of environmental approvals (or both or neither)?
Put a sniper out there to protect it.
Google maps hasn’t been updated for a while for this area. There’s no sign of a bridge or even piers. There appears to be construction activity preparing for a pier.
The old bridge is downstream, just to the left of the photo, hidden by the embankment.
Where is the old bridge that is oriented toward Jim Thorpe in this photo? Upstream or downstream and about how far away?
wow who would have thought if the predecessor railroads ever build that bridge but nice move for the reading and northern
It won’t be long before that bridge gets tagged.
I wish the Class Ones had the pride and enthusiasm for railroading the RBMN does! Have to wonder what effort went into having no graffiti covered cars in that first train crossing the bridge photo?!