New Deneki Meadows bridge opens across Willow

The new Deneki Meadows bridge opened to traffic late yesterday, far ahead of the regular construction schedule. Residents and property owners can now access the other side of Willow Creek, north of Willow Fishhook Road. Work will start on Kenny Blvd. today.

Here are some images of eroded Kenny Blvd. and the damaged Shirley Towne bridge after the flood.

During the flood some 60 roads were disrupted and more than 40 closed. Borough public works and contractors worked long hours through rain and high winds to restore access to nearly all the roads in less than two weeks.

The only access to Kenny Boulevard was over the Shirley Towne Bridge, which was badly damaged by the flood disaster.

Logs and boulders banged into the bridge. Torrents of water scoured its foundation. Civil engineer for the Borough Scott Adams said he witnessed on Sept. 22 the bridge shaking. The Borough was faced with two options, saving the likely unsound bridge or focusing all efforts on finishing a new nearby bridge that was underway, the Deneki Meadows bridge. Adams said the contractor, Swalling Construction, put on two shifts of crews and worked through weekends. Within four days of Shirley Towne bridge becoming impassable, pedestrian traffic was connected on the new bridge. This Thursday, vehicle traffic is projected to be open on Deneki Meadows Bridge to Michelle Drive.

“When the disaster struck we had only three girders set, none of the concrete poured. It’s an amazing job to finish a bridge in two weeks that under normal circumstances would have taken eight weeks. Nothing like this has been done in the Borough,” Adams said. Kenny Boulevard will be repaired when heavy equipment with certified contractors can get across the new bridge.

For more information Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan 745-9577 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.