Work on Fahy Bridge Starts Wednesday

PennDOT contractors will shut down one northbound lane of the Philip J. Fahy Bridge beginning Wednesday to accommodate the installation of a temporary pedestrian walkway.

The crew will install 1,466 linear feet of concrete Jersey barriers to provide a protected path for those who use the New Street Bridge to walk between North and South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials said this afternoon.

Motorists should be alert to the construction zone and use caution when driving through it, PennDOT officials said.

Though many pedestrians and joggers , the since August 27 after a routine bridge inspection revealed deterioration to the steel supporting the walkway and the actual walkway concrete slabs.

A new temporary walkway will allow pedestrians access to a narrow width of the present vehicular path.

The barrier installation is expected to last between three and four business days, weather permitting. Once complete, two northbound car lanes will be reopened, but they will be narrower than normal travel lanes, PennDOT officials said.

Motorists should also be aware that the Columbia Street ramp to the bridge will have a stop sign instead of a yield sign as long as the temporary walkway is in place.

A news release from PennDOT did not say how long the temporary walkway would remain or if there are plans in place to repair the permanent bridge walkway.