The PA 873 General Thomas R. Morgan/Main Street Bridge over Trout Creek in Slatington Borough, Lehigh County, will close on April 8 and remain closed for the rest of the year while crews demolish and replace the structure.
Work began January 17 on the bridge replacement project. Crews have been removing and trimming trees, mobilizing equipment, installing erosion and sedimentation controls, and will continue construction of a temporary pedestrian bridge. Beginning April 8, they will begin the demolition of the existing PA 873 Bridge. During demolition of the old Bridge and construction of the new Bridge, Main Street will be closed and detoured between West Church Street and the PA 873/Main Street split in Slatington Borough. The posted detour will take traffic over PA 329, PA 145, and Main Street. Crews are replacing the existing three-span, steel I-beam bridge with a two-span, concrete box beam bridge. They will also install new sidewalks, ornamental street lighting, line paint, and reconstruct the roadway approaches. The project is expected to be complete in December 2008. All schedules are weather dependent. The PA 873 General Thomas R. Morgan/Main Street Bridge over Trout Creek was constructed in 1901. The Bridge is 210 feet long, 50.5 feet wide and has an average daily traffic of 12,339 vehicles. The new Bridge will be 180 feet long and 53.5 feet wide. |
