It has been 53 years since U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class John Elton Candy, a resident of Middletown Township, died while serving in Vietnam. On Friday, members of his family were on hand as a bridge bearing his name was opened to the public for the first time.

Surrounded by veterans, the family watched as the sign memorializing the bridge was unveiled.

The Hulmeville Avenue Private First Class John Elton Candy Bridge that crosses the CSX tracks and SEPTA West Trenton Line in Middletown Township and Penndel Borough and Langhorne Manor Borough was officially completed Friday morning.

The new two-lane bridge opened for traffic just before noon following a ceremony for Candy and the work it took to complete the bridge that replaced an aging span that closed due to deterioration in 2019.

Under a contract with PennDOT, Chester County-based contractor J.D. Eckman Inc. reconstructed the bridge for $5.2 million. The project was entirely funded by state money.

Elected officials from Langhorne Manor Borough, Penndel Borough, and Middletown Township were in attendance, along with State Rep. Frank Farry, a Republican from Langhorne Borough, and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Middletown Township. Officials thanked State Rep. Tina Davis, a Democrat from Bristol Township, and State Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, a Republican from Bensalem Township, for their support of the project.

“This bridge provides a critical link to the communities in this area, and its reopening is a major step forward,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian, who was at the event.

The new bridge is a one-span composite steel plate girder structure, measuring 93 feet long and 33 feet wide with reinforced concrete deck and abutments. In addition, a prefabricated T-wall retaining system was installed and improved horizontal and vertical clearances to better accommodate train traffic below, according to PennDOT officials.

The 86-year-old bridge that carried Hulmeville Avenue over the CSX tracks and SEPTA West Trenton Line tracks was torn down during the reconstruction. It had been closed since it was found unsafe in May 2019.

Farry briefly spoke but joked he didn’t want his remarks to take up too much time as drivers wanted to use the bridge.

Penndel Borough Mayor Tom Sodano recognized the Candy family and thanked PennDOT for the new bridge. However, he said he wished the bridge had more bicycle and handicap accessibility.

“We are very excited that the replacement of the Hulmeville Avenue bridge has been completed and it is vital that we continue to invest in our infrastructure to strengthen and secure our vast transportation network in this region,” said PennDOT District 6 Executive Louis Belmonte. “The reopening of the bridge will supply a safe and efficient crossing for surrounding communities.”

Gramian, the PennDOT secretary, said that while the Hulmeville Avenue bridge wasn’t funded by the new $1.2 trillion dollar bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Fitzpatrick voted for, that law will fund projects similar to the Hulmeville Avenue bridge project throughout the state.

PennDOT noted the new federal law will bring more than $115 million in additional funding to the Philadelphia region through the end of the year.

“The new federal funds available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will make more roadway and bridge projects like this one possible across the state,” the secretary said.

Sign up for LevittownNow.com’s Daily Digest and get all the local news delivered to your inbox.

You have successfully joined our email newsletter list.

Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies

Proud to be members of:

You have successfully joined our email list.