A PennDOT contractor is expected to begin repair work on the I-78 bridge over Fish Hatchery Road and the Little Lehigh Creek today resulting in temporary closures of trails in Lehigh Parkway.

The Little Lehigh Parkway Recreational Trail is a 7.4-mile multi-use trail located within Little Lehigh Parkway. The trail is located under the Parkway Arch (I-78) bridge. Access to conduct the repair work is difficult and cannot occur within PennDOT’s right-of-way.

The Department intends to access the work area for pipe repair under the west end of the bridge by accessing the trail northwest of the bridge off of Park Drive. Trail closure signs will be placed on both sides of the Parkway Arch bridge to alert users and a detour will be in place directing users to the recreational trail located on the east side of Little Lehigh Creek. The trail will be closed to all users during the pipe repair construction; however the trail will be open daily once activities have concluded for the day. Trail users will have continual access to the trail network in Lehigh Parkway. There will be approximately 1750 feet of the recreational trail that will be closed to users during construction. This construction repair work is anticipated to occur for approximately one week.

The Department intends to access the work area for the eastern portion of the bridge maintenance activities using the recreational trail from Fish Hatchery Road to the I-78 Parkway Arch Bridge. Trail closure signs will be placed on both sides of the Parkway Arch bridge to alert users and a detour will be in place directing users to the recreational trail located on the opposite side of Little Lehigh Creek. Only one side will be closed at a time. The trail will be closed to all users during the maintenance activity work; however the trail will be open daily once activities have concluded for the day. There will be approximately 950 feet of the recreational trail that will be closed to users during maintenance activities. These maintenance activities are anticipated to occur for approximately one month.

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