Allentown council awards contract to replace 2nd Street Bridge

The City of Allentown is moving ahead with plans to begin replacement of the South 2nd Street Bridge by the end of the year.City Council Wednesday voted 7-0 to award a contract to Descco Design & Construction, Fleetwood, for a full replacement of the bridge, which traverses Trout Creek, after they submitted the lowest of three bids at $327,030.Council also unanimously approved an amendment to its Capital Fund Budget for 2019 that authorized the transfer of funds intended for Hamilton Street safety improvements for 10th and 4th streets ($1,024 and $45,452, respectively) and traffic calming improvements along Mack Boulevard ($23,121) to be applied toward the bridge replacement.The total transfer of $69,598 brought the amount to be used for the bridge replacement to $396,628, just below the city’s estimate of up to $400,000 to complete the job, Public Works Director Craig Messinger said.He said it will take “a month to 45 days” to get a formalized contract prepared, with a goal of beginning the job later this year.The city expects the project to take 3-6 months, Messinger said.In a related matter, council authorized engagement of professional services with Allentown-based civil engineering firm McMahon Associates, Inc. in the amount of $35,000 to conduct an intersection feasibility study analysis at 7th and Hamilton streets.Kevin Duffy is a freelance writer.
Source: Morningcall