New Cementon Bridge carrying Route 329 in Lehigh, Northampton counties opens to traffic

The work on the Cemonton Bridge connecting Whitehall and Northampton hit a major milestone over the weekend.

Crews completed the new bridge, and it was opened to traffic over the weekend, according to PennDOT spokesperson Sean Brown.

Crews began constructing the 585-foot-long bridge that carries State Route 329 over the Lehigh River in March 2023. It was one of dozens of bridges in Lehigh County designated as being in poor condition by the Federal Highway Administration.

Brown said more work remains on the project, notably the demolition and removal of the original bridge.

Crews have significant work left in the area of the old bridge, including drainage, paving tie-in, pedestrian walkways, signaled pedestrian crossings and embankment work, according to Brown.

That will cause nighttime lane closures on the new bridge in the spring and summer.

The bridge demolition work should last all of next year and into 2027, he said. With all the remaining work, PennDOT estimates all the work remaining on the project should be complete by December 2028.