Repairs to an historic Lower Saucon Township bridge are closer to being made, after township council members accepted a $164,253 bid for the work from Professional Construction Inc. of Bethlehem Sept. 5.

Professional Construction Inc. is known as a "reputable firm," township engineer Dan Miller said.

He told council that in addition to being the lowest bidder for the Old Mill Road Bridge project, "they took the most time to know what they were bidding on" and "seemed most knowledgeable about the project."

Bids were opened by township officials Aug. 27.

The repairs that will be made include: tightening the bridge's suspension chords; replacing U-bolts in the walking surface; acid-washing abutments; removing the bridge's badly flaking coat of paint; and repainting.

The bridge, which is for pedestrian use only, is located near the Saucon Rail Trail crossing at Old Mill Road.

The surrounding area is known as the Ehrhart's Mill National Historic District--after a mill that was formerly located there--and includes several historic structures.

Township manager Jack Cahalan said the Old Mill Road Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in 1983.

Since then it's become a popular place to fish along the Saucon Creek, with anglers often parking along Reading Drive, he said.

As a Pratt suspension bridge, the Old Mill bridge is "unique" in the immediate area, Cahalan told council.

"We were pleased that it came in below the budgeted amount," he said of the winning bid.

Council president Glenn Kern asked if the bridge would be repainted the same distinctive shade of green that it is currently painted.

Miller said he would check on available color options for the repainting.

Council members Priscilla deLeon and Ron Horiszny were absent.