WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A finished road project welcomed by many continues to be a hassle for a Whitehall Township couple that just won’t go away.
The Cementon Bridge was re-opened in December, but a retired couple say what’s left over is putting the brakes on their future.
An old bait and tackle shop, that William and Kim Marx ran for 25 years.
Sitting next to the Cementon Bridge on Route 329, on the edge of Northampton Borough, the couple says the building, empty since 2022, has been unsellable.
“We take it off, we put it back on, and mostly everybody says, what are we going to do with this with all this stuff going on?” the couple said.
The couple says PennDOT’s Cementon Bridge project, which re-opened in December, damaged the property.
The couple says its three-year lease agreement with PennDOT to use the property expired in March.
Now June, the property is still being used, damage, especially to this retaining wall, hasn’t been addressed. They fear the cost to repair is much more than the initial $7200.
“We are not rich people, you know,” Will said.
“This going to be a major part of your retirement? ” 69 News reporter Bo Koltnow asked. “The sale of this?”
“Major,” he said.
PennDOT says they just became aware of the issue and are looking to extend the lease, but will work with the couple and asses the property for any damages they caused.
As for the Marx’s, their demands are simple.
“Finish our retirement, and not have this hassle under our belt,” they said.