Route 29 bridge replacement

Just outside the Emmaus borough line, Route 29 crosses over a Norfolk Southern rail line.

PennDOT intends to replace the two-lane bridge carrying that traffic this year.

Thankfully, traffic on Route 29 is a lot lighter here than north of the borough. Still, this could create some headaches for local traffic.

Remember: Any project involving an active train line is automatically more difficult and expensive.

Construction crews need to plan their projects around train schedules, and overseers needs to hire people to flag trains a mile or so from the construction zone so they can slow down.

For years, Northampton County has closed a lightly used bridge to Hugh Moore Park over a Norfolk Southern line because it can’t justify the cost.

PennDOT expects the bids for the Route 29 bridge to go out in

late May. Construction should be completed around November 2020.

Anticipated cost: $9.1 million