Narberth council outlines Elm Grove Park pedestrian-bridge plan, long-term Elmwood/South Norworth closure

Borough staff reported at the Jan. 15 Narberth Borough Council meeting that a pedestrian-bridge project linking Elm Grove Park (previously described in staff materials as the Elmwood Ave pedestrian bridge) is being readied for grant applications this year and planned for construction in 2027. ‘‘This is gonna be a shovel ready project by the time that we actually submit the grant applications,’’ an unidentified staff member said.

The staff member said a road closure at the Elmwood and South Norworth Avenue intersection will begin Monday the 19th and will remain in place for the duration of the project, ‘‘so this will continue through 2029,’’ but that residents with driveways in the closure area will retain driveway access and pedestrian and cyclist paths will be maintained.

The borough is pursuing multiple grant sources to fund the project. The manager described applications to the Montco 2040 program and to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), with a March deadline for the Montco 2040 application and April 30 as the DCNR deadline. ‘‘We are applying for full funding from both of those grant sources to maximize our grant potential,’’ the staff member said, and added the borough has funds set aside in the capital improvement plan to pay for the project if grants are not awarded.

Staff said final design plans are underway and that engineers are finishing closeout documents for other development projects (100 Forest and 203 Heatherford). The council was also told about an open house on Feb. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. where zoning recommendations and housing-affordability material will be presented.

The staff member added that while permits likely will not be secured this year, the borough is identifying all necessary permits and will work to obtain them once applications are submitted. The presentation emphasized maximizing grant awards to repurpose capital funds to other projects if successful.

The meeting record does not include further public comment or a separate formal vote specifically on the bridge project; staff framed the presentation as informational and preparatory for later permitting and funding actions.