Emergency repairs have been completed on a 71-year-old bridge which is considered a gateway into parts of Carbon County.
"I remember when it was built. It was a long time ago. It's a good bridge. They need it. It should be fixed," said Bob Henning of Franklin Township.
Although PennDOT insists it was never in danger of collapse, some officials want the span replaced.
PennDOT officials are trying to calm the nerves of Lehighton borough officials. They're concerned about the McCall Bridge that carries Route 209 and links Weissport and Lehighton. PennDOT insists the bridge is safe.
"There was public outcry that this bridge wasn't safe. This bridge carries 23,000 cars every day. It's the major thoroughfare from the turnpike to Lehighton," said Michael Rebert of PennDOT.
"As a layman I don't feel very comfortable that I go over it. Somedays in it's entirety it's lined up with traffic," said Scott Rehrig of Lehighton Borough Council.
Two of the supports on the bridge have moved and are leaning. That's why an emergency contract was awarded and a crew with a lift and welder moved in. They are putting in new supports which will stabilze the bridge if the old supports move more.
PennDOT insists deteriorating concrete which is exposing steel parts of the bridge are just cosmetic and the bridge is safe. "If the bridge wasn't safe we wouldn't let the bridge run on it. There is no worry at all that there is going to be a failure of this bridge to cause it to collapse," Rebert said.
"I think they would do everything properly and that nobody's safety is at risk here and I would hope they've done enough research to know how much of a repair it is," said Amanda Jiunta of Kresgeville.
"If it's deteriorating on the outside it must be doing something on the inside! I would think so. I don't know," said Grant Hunsicker of Lehighton Borough Council.
"There is no worry at all that there is going to be a failure of this bridge to cause it to collapse," Rebert insited.
Some Lehighton officials want a new bridge, saying it's important to growth of the area.
A new span could cost $50 million. To rebuilt the bridge the cost would be $20 million.
PennDOT will make a decision on what to do by year's end.
In the meantime, the agency will continue to inspect the bridge supports, hoping they don't move even more.
"I remember when it was built. It was a long time ago. It's a good bridge. They need it. It should be fixed," said Bob Henning of Franklin Township.
Although PennDOT insists it was never in danger of collapse, some officials want the span replaced.
PennDOT officials are trying to calm the nerves of Lehighton borough officials. They're concerned about the McCall Bridge that carries Route 209 and links Weissport and Lehighton. PennDOT insists the bridge is safe.
"There was public outcry that this bridge wasn't safe. This bridge carries 23,000 cars every day. It's the major thoroughfare from the turnpike to Lehighton," said Michael Rebert of PennDOT.
"As a layman I don't feel very comfortable that I go over it. Somedays in it's entirety it's lined up with traffic," said Scott Rehrig of Lehighton Borough Council.
Two of the supports on the bridge have moved and are leaning. That's why an emergency contract was awarded and a crew with a lift and welder moved in. They are putting in new supports which will stabilze the bridge if the old supports move more.
PennDOT insists deteriorating concrete which is exposing steel parts of the bridge are just cosmetic and the bridge is safe. "If the bridge wasn't safe we wouldn't let the bridge run on it. There is no worry at all that there is going to be a failure of this bridge to cause it to collapse," Rebert said.
"I think they would do everything properly and that nobody's safety is at risk here and I would hope they've done enough research to know how much of a repair it is," said Amanda Jiunta of Kresgeville.
"If it's deteriorating on the outside it must be doing something on the inside! I would think so. I don't know," said Grant Hunsicker of Lehighton Borough Council.
"There is no worry at all that there is going to be a failure of this bridge to cause it to collapse," Rebert insited.
Some Lehighton officials want a new bridge, saying it's important to growth of the area.
A new span could cost $50 million. To rebuilt the bridge the cost would be $20 million.
PennDOT will make a decision on what to do by year's end.
In the meantime, the agency will continue to inspect the bridge supports, hoping they don't move even more.
