Although the work isn’t scheduled to begin until 2017, Hellertown officials are already discussing the logistics for replacing the Water Street Bridge.
The Water Street Bridge in Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township is scheduled to be replaced in 2017.
The crumbling 77-year-old Saucon Creek span will be replaced by PennDOT, which is currently considering several different options for reconstructing it, borough engineer Bryan Smith told Hellertown Borough Council Monday night.
“They’re looking for some guidance,” he told council.
Smith said two of the three options involve partially closing the bridge.
A single lane would be kept open while crews work on either the north or southbound side.
Motorists would have to take turns crossing and pedestrian access would be affected, although a shuttle would be available to ferry walkers from one side to the other.
Smith said keeping one lane open for the duration of the project would extend the timeline for its completion to “two construction seasons.”
The third option–which was the one favored by council members–would completely close the bridge so it can be replaced on an accelerated construction schedule of just 45 to 60 days; a schedule Smith said is a new option for PennDOT.
During that time, the old bridge would be demolished and a prefabricated structure would be moved into place and installed.
Although closing the bridge completely would force all Water Street traffic to detour either south via Walnut Street or north via Silvex Road in Bethlehem, council members appeared to like the shorter timeline for getting the job done.
Councilman John Bate said emergency vehicles would not be able to cross a one lane bridge, meaning access via the Water Street route would be restricted for a much longer time if either of the first two options is chosen by PennDOT.
In his update to council, Smith said the replacement of the High Street Bridge that borders Hellertown is now scheduled to begin in October.
The 105-year-old timber span–closed since 2011–will be replaced with a modern two-lane structure.
The High Street Bridge is in Bethlehem and the project is out of the borough’s and PennDOT’s hands, council president Tom Rieger stressed.
“We’ve done everything we can on that,” he said, adding that residents should also be aware that reopening the bridge won’t restore the former east-west route across the Saucon Creek because Northampton County officials have no plans to replace the Seidersville Road metal truss bridge that’s also been closed since 2011.
