Expect delays, detours during sewer project

Work would likely begin in May and could take until August to complete

A planned replacement of water and sewer lines may result in delays and headaches for motorists traveling through a busy portion of South Whitehall Township.

Commissioners on Wednesday authorized township administration to begin seeking bids from contractors to replace water and sewer lines along Pennsylvania Street from Cedar Crest Boulevard to North 28th Street.

The work, which will result in road closures and detours, is likely to begin in May and could take until August to complete, Jason Newhart of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy told the board.

The $1.9 million project will affect 30 customer connections and will be paid for through the township’s 2019 capital improvements budget, he said.

Work crews will be replacing water main and service lines to the curb stop and sewer main and laterals to the curb line. It also includes a complete reconstruction of the road.

It will result in stretches of Pennsylvania Street being closed two blocks at a time, he said, necessitating detours along North 29th and North 30th streets and affecting travel along Fairmont Street.

The job “could start at Cedar Crest or [North] 28th Street, it’s up to the contractor,” Newhart said.

Construction crews will work from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The board asked to propose an alternative of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of the bid package in an attempt to lessen the impact during morning and afternoon rush hours.

That schedule, however, would lengthen the amount of time to complete the project.

Commissioner David Bond said the township may have to station a police officer at points along North Cedar Crest Boulevard to direct traffic.

“We may have to put an officer there at rush hour; it’s bad all of the time anyway,” Commissioner Matthew Mulqueen said.

Kevin Duffy is a freelance writer.