Engineers presented plans for renovations to a deteriorating bridge along Pine Road at the recent Fox Chase Civic Association and Town Watch meeting.
The bridge is between Stanwood Street and Solly Avenue.
Residents were not thrilled to learn that the work will take up to 18 months, from demolition in spring 2026 to reopening in summer 2027.
The bridge was constructed in 1964 and is above a trail. It’s small, but engineers said the work will take so long, in part, due to the presence of underground utilities. One of the engineers said the team wants a timeline that is “realistic,” not “optimistic.”
Traffic will be closed from Rhawn Street to Susquehanna Avenue, but residents will have access.
Verree Road will be more heavily traveled during the closure. Verree is scheduled to be paved next year.
For more information, email BridgeUnit@phila.gov.
In other news from the Oct. 9 meeting:
• State Sen. Jimmy Dillon delivered a campaign speech, discussing his background as a graduate of Our Lady of Calvary, Holy Ghost Prep and Notre Dame, a youth basketball coach and trainer and ward leader. He has two teenage daughters and cares for his 88-year-old mom. The day after the meeting, he was scheduled to appear at an event announcing money for security cameras and $5 million for police recruitment, training and retention.
In office, Dillon said he has supported funding for public and private schools and that his prioritie are helping the Northeast and working across the aisle.
• Joel Helmke, chief operating officer at Fox Chase Cancer Center, presented a slide show. He said the center’s priorities are on catching cancer early and delivering quality care so patients can have a better quality of life following treatments.
Helmke said the center scored well in recent Best Hospitals ratings published by U.S. News & World Report. Fox Chase was 33rd in cancer, just after Ohio State’s James Cancer Hospital and just ahead of Michigan’s Health Rogel Cancer Center.
“They have better football teams than we do, but it’s good company to keep,” he said.
Helmke said Fox Chase is the top destination in the state for bladder and prostate cancer care. Recently, the center has modernized in several areas, including technology and pharmacy.
In fiscal year 2024, Fox Chase had patients from 47 states and territories. The highest number of employees and patients come from the 19111 ZIP code. Revenues have nearly doubled in the last five years, and $5 million was raised at a recent gala.
In 2018, Jefferson announced plans to buy Fox Chase from Temple, but the purchase never happened due to COVID and new management at Temple. Fox Chase will remain part of Temple.
“There’s no daylight between us,” Helmke said.
Helmke also said Fox Chase will not expand into Burholme Park. A judge in 2008 rejected the center’s effort to expand into the park.
• Mark Mroz and Al Fiorentino, community relations officers in the 2nd and 7th districts, respectively, spoke to the crowd. The 2nd, 7th, 8th and 15th districts will be among the sponsors of a Trunk or Treat and car show on Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Mission BBQ, 11000 Roosevelt Blvd. The 7th Police District, 1701 Bowler St., will hand out candy beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31.
• Nov. 11 will be the 30th anniversary of the murder of 16-year-old Eddie Polec on the steps of St. Cecilia Church. Polec, a student at Cardinal Dougherty, was beaten with baseball bats by a group of suburban teenagers. A lousy 911 system, including rude dispatchers, led to delays in police arriving on the scene.
• John Gallagher, a Fox Chase resident, resigned last month as police chief in Rockledge after two years on the job. Gallagher was a regular guest speaker at the civic meetings.
• The office of City Councilman Brian O’Neill is sponsoring a shredding event on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9-11 a.m. at 432 Rhawn St., behind American Heritage Credit Union. Call 215-MU6-3422.
• Fox Chase Cancer Center will hold mobile mammography screenings on Thursday, Oct. 17, starting at 9 a.m., at Dillon’s office, at 12361 Academy Road. Women must be 40 or older and have a prescription from their doctor. To schedule an appointment, call 215-214-1682.
• Dillon, City Councilman Mike Driscoll and state Rep. Pat Gallagher will sponsor Halloween Bingo for senior citizens on Friday, Oct. 25, at Holy Family’s gym, 9801 Frankford Ave. Doors open at 10 a.m. RSVP at 267-878-3516.
• State Rep. Jared Solomon will hold a veterans appreciation breakfast and resource fair on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Knights of Columbus Holmesburg Council, 3300 Knorr St. Veterans and their families are invited. RSVP by calling 215-342-6340 or emailing repsolomon@pahouse.net.
• Among those in attendance were Sean Dougherty and Aizaz Gill, the candidates in the 172nd Legislative District race; and Joe Picozzi, the Republican challenger to Dillon.
• Fox Chase Civic Association and Town Watch will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, at 7976 Oxford Ave. ••
