Planners at the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study received an update on the restoration project planned for the Hill-to-Hill Bridge in Bethlehem, Pa.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has secured approximately $69 million for the project and aims to alleviate the congestion while rehabilitating the 100-year-old structure.
“It really was a major part of the town and the development of it,” engineer Brian Teles said. “The bridge today is very unique and impressive, but if you look at some of the other parts of the structure that were tied into it years ago, the other ramps to come on, it was even more impressive when it was originally built. It’s quite a unique structure.”
PennDOT plans to build a second bridge parallel to the current structure. The new Hill-to-Hill span will carry northbound traffic, with the older structure carrying southbound traffic. The bridge will be rehabilitated, along with ramps to Main Street and Spring Street.
Additional plans include lanes being realigned at the Third Street intersection. The Second Street ramp will have direct access from Second Street.
Contractors are expected to be lined up in late 2025 or early 2026. Construction will begin in 2026 and is expected to be completed in 2029.
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Source: Mcall.com, Lehigh Valley News