Borough: No News on High Street Bridge
Hellertown officials recently told a local business owner they don't know when the closed High Street Bridge will be replaced.
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A 102-year-old bridge near Hellertown that has been closed since June 2011 is scheduled for replacement, but when that will happen is not known, borough officials told a business owner Aug. 6.
Bob Hero approached Hellertown Borough Council to ask about the status of the timber, one-lane High Street Bridge; a span that closed to traffic not long after a state report detailed its structural deficiencies.
The bridge--which spans a railroad right-of-way--is located entirely within the City of Bethlehem, although the eastern end of it borders the borough line.
For that reason it is now up to the city to replace the bridge.
Borough officials signed off on a required maintenance agreement for the bridge months ago, councilman Tom Rieger told Hero.
"It's in (the city's) hands now," he said; a statement that borough council solicitor Michael Corriere confirmed.
Rieger also said there are no plans to replace the closed Seidersville Road metal truss bridge located about a quarter of a mile west of the High Street Bridge.
The Seidersville Road bridge--which spans the Saucon Creek--is county-owned and closed because of structural deficiencies just a few months before the High Street Bridge did.
Tony and JoAnn Casciano
8:39 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
What a load of political BS. Isn't there anyone in the borough who can get to the bottom of this. It's obvious that there's not enough glamor in this for someone to take it on. Don't you just love how these people constanly pass the buck. Put some pressure on the City of Bethlehem to get this done. Millions of dollars are being spent for new roads to the cash cow casino. But they can't find a few bucks to fix the bridges. Between both of the bridges listed, it has to be over three years since that road has been open. Another situation where the government is working for the people.
Erna Branco
11:21 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
Every day cars drive right up to the bridge before they realize it is closed. When functions are happening at Lehigh, GPS's are sending cars to go over the bridge. One morning my husband spent 3 hours directing traffic at the corner of Clauser and High.
Mom to 3
12:39 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Something needs to be done and soon.
Hugh Gallagher
7:35 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Missing from this report is the information about the Railroad and their offer to fill in the area below the bridge and repave it and the resisitance of the walking trail people to anything other than what suits their own agenda. While we wait in traffic jams.
Angeline Alvarez
8:31 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Ridiculous!!!! This needs to be repaired. Someone needs to hold the reigns and get the job done.
Kelly
10:16 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Need a bigger "bridge closed" sign for the time being.
Mom to 3
4:55 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
I noticed today that they painted the concrete barrier yellow and black. Not sure how that is going to help repair the bridge though.
Kelly
10:17 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012
I meant where the light is on main/ high st... Tiny sign. I live a few houses up as well.
Jeffrey
7:47 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sandy is coming!!!!
The only outlet gets flooded. How am I going to get out if needed? Is someone from the goverment coming to pick us up?
A LAGERDA
4:09 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Fix this bridge! The neighborhoods to the west have "exploded" in the past 20 years and this cuts off access to Hellertown the the shopping and other commerce that city provides. The approaching storm may cut off the area completely if Saucon Creek floods to the north. This is a safety issue...
Al Lagerda, USAF (retired Chief of Safety, former Bethlehem resident)