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.”
