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After concerns were raised about increased traffic volume that was expected to congest the intersection of Main and Walnut streets in Hellertown during the Water Street Bridge project earlier this year, PennDOT conducted a traffic study at the intersection this fall.
Residents frustrated by the lack of progress on a bridge replacement project on Blue Church Road in Upper Saucon Township received an update from on it from township officials Monday night, although the news probably wasn’t music to anyone’s ears.
Borough junior councilman Noah Kates’ ambitious highway beautification effort known as the Hellertown Tree Project entered its final phase Wednesday with the planting of dozens of young trees in the grassy median between I-78 and the highway’s westbound exit ramp to Rt. 412.
Just a couple of days past an estimated completion date established when the project began, the new Water Street Bridge in Hellertown opened to traffic at 7:30 a.m. Sunday.
Those hoping that the new Water Street Bridge would be open in time to assist with their weekend travel plans will have to wait a bit longer to enjoy crossing it for the first time.
Despite a few rumors to the contrary that have been circulating around Hellertown, the $3.8 million Water Street Bridge replacement project is on schedule, Borough Manager Cathy Hartranft confirmed this week.
A truck driver pulling a Walmart trailer got more than he bargained for Tuesday afternoon, as he attempted to make a right turn from Ringhoffer Road onto Easton Road in Lower Saucon Township, striking the bridge that spans a branch of the Saucon Creek at that intersection.
The detour now in place around the $3.8 million Water Street Bridge replacement project in Hellertown means more traffic than normal is accessing Main Street via Walnut Street.
Motorists in Lower Saucon Township should expect to encounter delays this week and into September for a seven-week PennDOT paving project on Black River Road between Rt. 378 and Bingen Road.
Although it’s the weekend, PennDOT and Kriger Construction employees have been busy at the site of Hellertown’s Water Street Bridge, which will close for the construction of a replacement span on Monday, July 29.
