Politics & Government

Manassas-Guth Covered Bridge Repairs Could Begin This Year

The historic bridge could be closed up to four months during repairs, the South Whitehall commissioners were told Wednesday.

Lehigh County's plan to rehabilitate the 155-year-old Manassas-Guth Covered Bridge took another step forward Wednesday. 

South Whitehall commissioners granted a temporary construction easement that permits the county to work on township land to restore the historic bridge. The project is federally funded.

Patch first told you in 2011 about the county's plans to replace floor beams and repair crossbeams on the covered bridge.

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Glenn D. Solt, Lehigh County director of general services, said engineering, design and permitting plans were progressing and he expected work to begin sometime this year.

The bridge could be closed up to four months, Solt said.

Find out what's happening in South Whitehallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Manassas-Guth Bridge, built in 1858, helps frame South Whitehall's Covered Bridge Park. It has been considered structurally deficient, which means that one or more of the bridge's major components have deteriorated. The bridge has a 4-ton weight limit.

Commissioner David Bond said he hoped the work would not be done until after the summer, but Solt said the timing was contingent on when various approvals are received.

Solt said the township is eligible for compensation or tax relief.

Wehr's Bridge, built in 1841, frames the other side of Covered Bridge Park.


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