Work to Begin Feb. 13 on Cedar Crest Boulevard Bridge

The structurally deficient Cedar Crest Boulevard Bridge over Cedar Creek in South Whitehall and Allentown is getting a makeover.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has announced that work to fix the 55-year-old single span, concrete box beam bridge will begin on Monday, Feb. 13.

The cost of the project is $865,814. 

Crews will replace the superstructure (deck and beam). The project is expected to be complete in September 2012, PennDOT said.

As part of the project:

• There will be new traffic patterns implemented on Cedar Crest Boulevard between Broadway/Parkway Boulevard and Union Street.
• Motorists should expect possible short-term lane restrictions with flagging on Monday, Feb. 13, as these new patterns are set in place. 
• During construction, Cedar Crest Boulevard will remain open with one 10-foot travel lane in each direction.
• Access from Cedar Crest Boulevard to Parkway Boulevard will be maintained, but access from Cedar Crest Boulevard to Broadway will be restricted.
• Those travelling north on Cedar Crest Boulevard and wishing to access Broadway will be face a posted detour that will take them on the Route 222/Hamilton Boulevard Bypass and Haines Mill Road.
• Those travelling south on Cedar Crest Boulevard and wishing to access Broadway will face a posted detour that will take them on Tilghman Street and Springhouse Road.

Motorists are advised to allow for extra time when traveling through the area. 

All schedules are dependent on the weather. 

Clearwater Construction, Inc. of Mercer, is the general contractor. 

The Cedar Crest Boulevard Bridge was built in 1957. The superstructure is 63 feet long, 48 feet wide and is posted with a 34 ton weight restriction.

The new superstructure will be 61 feet six inches long and 48 feet six inches wide. When the rehabilitation is completed, the bridge will have no weight restriction.

About 20,915 vehicles use this section of Cedar Crest Boulevard each day. 

Motorists can follow local PennDOT information on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAAllentown.