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The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to an online plan display for a project to replace the Maple Drive Bridge over a tributary to Bertsch Creek in Lehigh Township, Northampton County. The purpose of this project is to address structural deficiencies of this bridge which was constructed in 1933 and provide continued safe and efficient access on Maple Drive. The project consists of replacing the existing single-span steel I-beam bridge, reconstructing the pavement along the roadway tie-ins of the new precast reinforced concrete box culvert structure and replacing guide rail. The existing 26’-0” curb-to-curb bridge width consisting of two 11-foot lanes and two 2-foot shoulders will be maintained.

The bridge will be closed for approximately 3 months to all traffic during construction. The proposed 2.3 mile detour route will utilize PA 248 (Lehigh Drive) and Mountain View Drive.

Work is expected to take place during the 2023 construction season.

PennDOT invites community members to provide public input for the project. To access the webpage, visit www.PennDOT.gov/District5 click on the Public Meetings link under the District Links heading, pick the Northampton County box, and then choose the Maple Drive over a Tributary to Bertsch Creek project tile.

The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project and solicit public input, questions, or concerns regarding the project. It is also an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the project’s potential effect upon Cultural Resources pursuant to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s 36 CFR Part 800 regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

In accordance with Governor Wolf's COVID-19 mitigation efforts, the plans display will be held online only. A digital version of the information will be available to view online until November 5, 2021.

The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation/interpretation services or have special needs or have special concerns that require individual attention, please contact Michael J. Mignella, Consultant Project Manager, at 610-783-3828 or email at c-mmignell@pa.gov. 

Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, PennDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. If you feel that you have been denied the benefits of, or participation in a PennDOT program or activity, you may contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, DBE/Title VI Division at 717-787-5891 or 800-468-4201. For more information on projects occurring or being bid this year, those made possible by or accelerated by the state’s transportation funding plan (Act 89), or those on the department’s Four and Twelve Year Plans, visit www.projects.penndot.gov.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Follow regional PennDOT information on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAAllentown, and like the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation.  

MEDIA CONTACTS: Ronald J. Young, Jr., M.P.A., 610-871-4555, ronyoung@pa.gov; Sean A. Brown, 610-871-4556, sebrown@pa.gov.

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