Lehigh County’s Fourth Street Bridge, connecting Fourth Street in Allentown to Fifth Street in Whitehall, will be closed to traffic and pedestrians for approximately four months beginning Monday, June 21. The bridge will undergo superstructure repairs including the replacement of bridge support bearings, endwall repairs, replacement of expansion joints, and drainage system replacement. Detour signs will be posted.This major bridge rehabilitation project is yet another in a long list of bridges either repaired or replaced under County Executive Don Cunningham’s commitment to improve the condition of Lehigh County’s 47 bridges. Earlier this year Executive Cunningham and Commission Chair Dean Browning cut the ribbon on the brand new Linden Street Bridge.
Replacements of Lehigh River crossing bridges in both Whitehall and Coplay and the replacement of the aging Reading Road Bridge in Allentown, are currently in planning.
So this is the bridge that connects 4th Street in Allentown to 5th Street in Whitehall? Is that the same 5th Street bridge over Route 22 that PennDOT wants to remove and replace it with a pedestrian bridge to cut costs to the Route 22 enhancement project?
ReplyDeleteSeems that PennDOT completely ignored the adverse impact removal of the 5th Street bridge would have to public access and safety in Fullerton and the already congested Route 145.
The 5th Street Bridge provides vital access to a section of the Township that is isolated by Route 22, Route 145, a Cemetery, and Jordan Creek. Elimination of the 5the Street Bridge would limit direct access via Fairmont Ave and 4th street in Allentown.
PennDOT calls this "value engineering". However, I find it interesting while some projects are downsized, other projects are conveniently upsized.
There should be updates concerning exactly when this 4 month bridge construction will take place.I have been rerouting for 3 months plus and it would be nice to know when the bridge opens.
ReplyDeleteThe four months are up when can we expect the bridge to re open?
ReplyDeleteI know by the lines I encounter that this bridge affects many residents of Allentown.The four months have long come and gone.Is no one held accountable for the time table.Anyone who cares please respond!
ReplyDeleteI'll try to find out.
ReplyDeleteThank you for looking into this matter.Even if it is a couple more months at least we'll know.
ReplyDeleteAnon, Today (11/16) I spoke to Frank Kane the COS at Lehigh County. He told me the bridge should be done next week, possibly by Monday. He also told me that, like you, the County Exec has to commute thru the detours every day and is inconvenienced himself. He literally shares your pain.
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