As Lehigh County celebrated it's 200th Anniversary yesterday at Agricultural Hall, it's real commitment to history will be tested this coming Wednesday evening. County Executive Don Cunningham, and his director of destruction, Glenn Solt, have already failed the test. The issue is the Reading Road Bridge, built in 1824, and rebuilt in 1980, when a pedestrian bridge was added. Glenn Solt recently told a Morning Call reporter that the bridge is filled inside with debris and junk. Two years ago, when I started the campaign to save the bridge, he told blogger Bernie O'Hare that the bridge was filled with crap. Although conceding it's structurally sound, he's speculates that a storm in a few years could destroy it, and he already has approved plans and funds to replace it now, ready to go. Solt also points out that the bridge was never officially designated historic. Considering that the bridge is 188 years old, survived hurricane Diane in 1955, I believe it has more chance of getting hit by a meteorite than failing in a rain storm. 
Preeminent local historian Frank Whelan signed copies of his book at yesterday's event. The book contains old photographs of many Lehigh County structures which no longer exist. Let us hope that Wednesday evening the County Commissioners save our bridge.Cunningham photo by The Morning Call/March 10,2012/Donna Fisher
Councilman Schware is a voice of reason on this issue and has spoken to many of the neighbors in the area about the bridge. Most of those that I have spoken to our in favor of keeping the bridge and not replacing it. It is my hope that Council will not spend money on this project that it does not need to spend and put our resources to better use on some other infrastructure project that needs attention.
ReplyDeletebill, it's important that you and others who want this bridge preserved, show up Wednesday evening, at the Commissioner meeting. (7:30pm, government center, 7th street entrance)
ReplyDeleteAs important, this is also known as the "tickle" bridge to many generations of kids whose parents have gone out of their way to give them a quick tummy-turning ride. A fond memory for many life-long Allentown families - a shame to lose it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a shovel ready stimulas project. Don't buck those unions!
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