The long-awaited project to replace the Route 33 bridges over Bushkill Creek between Palmer Township and Stockertown because of sinkhole problems is set to begin.
However, there will be some short-term pain for commuters during the $23.2 million project, which is expected to ramp up July 10 and last about five weeks, according to Kriger Construction, the contractor for the project.
There will be a lane shift on southbound Route 33 beginning this week as both travel lanes will be moved toward the right shoulder. No significant traffic impacts are expected, according to Kriger, beyond some temporary lane closures during nighttime hours.
The primary change will be a longer-term traffic restriction on northbound Route 33 between the Tatamy and Stockertown exits as the highway will be reduced to a single lane. This will allow traffic to be diverted through a median crossover and around the Bushkill bridge as it is demolished and rebuilt.
During this period, the northbound on-ramp to northbound Route 33 at Tatamy will be closed, as will the northbound offramp at Stockertown. Motorists can use Main Street through Tatamy, Sullivan Trail in Forks Township and Route 191 in Stockertown.
The traffic pattern changes are expected to begin July 10 and will last through Aug. 16. They were initially going to begin June 18, but were delayed because of community concern about potential traffic problems during the July Fourth holiday, Kriger said.
The section of Route 33 around Tatamy and Stockertown has had problems with sinkholes since it was opened in the early 1970s. Sinkholes have also been an issue with other roads in this part of the Lehigh Valley. Last August, a large one opened along Main Street in Palmer Township. The same thing happened in 2021.
A sinkhole in late August 2024, in the same vicinity at Carson Court, closed the eastbound lanes of Main Street for several days. One also opened along Route 22 in Bethlehem Township in March 2024.