Get ready for some changes on the Fahy Bridge.
The span, which connects New Street in South Bethlehem to the city’s north side, is undergoing a $25 million reconstruction. Work is expected to wrap up by the end of this year.
Starting on Feb. 20 and 21, project contractor J.D. Eckman will put the project’s second phase into motion.
The bridge has remained open throughout construction.
Currently, all traffic drives in the southbound lanes of the bridge during the reconstruction of the northbound lanes. For the second phase, traffic will switch sides to allow for the southbound lanes to be rebuilt.
Pedestrians will be moved back to the new permanent sidewalk on that side of the bridge.
That means drivers should prepare for traffic stoppages of up to 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 20-21 at either end of the bridge.
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After this work, all vehicles will travel in the northbound lanes, in a similar traffic pattern to the one currently in place. There will be a 10-foot lane in each direction and turn lanes at the southern end of the bridge for southbound traffic.
Both the Columbia Street and Second Street ramps will be closed throughout phase two of construction. Merging onto the bridge from Columbia Street would be too dangerous due to the limited sight distance and the other ramp is going to be used for construction vehicle access during construction.
Trucks and buses, other than school buses, will continue to be detoured to the Minsi Trail Bridge.
Night and possible weekend closures of the bridge to allow for concrete pours and related work may be necessary.
During the final phase of construction, there will be one lane of traffic on either side of the bridge while the center of the bridge is reconstructed. Pedestrian access will continue on the new sidewalk.
State inspectors in the summer of 2011 discovered problems with the deck joints and sidewalk of the Fahy. The sidewalk was immediately closed and later a temporary sidewalk was created out of part of one of the driving lanes.
Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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