ALLENTOWN, Pa. — As a project to repair one bridge in Allentown’s Lehigh Parkway inches closer toward its start, state officials are working to rebuild another just down the road.
Allentown City Council on Wednesday night approved a $2.15 million state-funded contract for H & P Construction to fix Bogert’s Bridge, the oldest in Lehigh County.
Less than 10 minutes after that vote, members learned details about the state Transportation Department’s $2.8 million project on Fish Hatchery Road.
“We feel they’re good for another 75 years with just some repairs."Michael McGuire, senior project manager at engineers Gannett Fleming
It includes plans to replace the “full superstructure” of the two-lane bridge that carries the road over the Little Lehigh Creek, Michael McGuire, PennDOT District 5-0 Consultant Project Manager Michael McGuire said in a mandated presentation to council.
All 172 feet of the bridge will be rebuilt, though stone piers that hold up the structure will be restored and remain, he said.
“We feel they’re good for another 75 years with just some repairs,” McGuire told council.
A sidewalk on the north side of the bridge is set to be widened as part of the replacement project.
“The sidewalk’s in rough shape,” McGuire said.
The Fish Hatchery Road bridge was built in 1939.
Its westbound lanes will remain open to traffic throughout the construction project because many ambulances use Fish Hatchery Road and the bridge on their way to Lehigh Valley-Cedar Crest Hospital, McGuire said.
Eastbound traffic will be directed onto Interstate 78 under current plans, he said.
PennDOT officials expect to finalize the design and project details next year and start seeking bids in 2027.
The bridge-replacement project should be complete in 2029, according to McGuire.
