July 29, 2019
Allentown, PA – Motorists should anticipate nighttime detours (9:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.) starting Wednesday, July 31, and ending Friday, August 2, as construction work continues to replace the bridge carrying PA 33 north over US 22 in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County. The bridge is being replaced as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Rapid Bridge Replacement Project.
During the nighttime closures, US 22 west traffic will be detoured on PA 33 north to Hecktown Road and then back to PA 33 south to US 22. Traffic traveling from US 22 east will be detoured on PA 33 south to William Penn Highway, then back to PA 33 north to US 22. Motorists should also anticipate intermittent single lane and ramp closures on PA 33 north and southbound (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) beginning Wednesday, July 31 to Friday, August 2. Construction of the new bridge is anticipated to be fully complete in August 2019.
In the event of unfavorable weather or unforeseen activities, this schedule is subject to change.
This bridge is referred to as JV-197 and is one out of the 558 bridges being replaced under the Rapid Bridge Replacement Project. JV references the joint-venture partnership between Walsh/Granite, which is leading construction for the entire project.
The Rapid Bridge Replacement Project is a public-private partnership (P3) between PennDOT and Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners (PWKP), under which PWKP will finance, design, replace, and maintain the bridges for 25 years.