I-80 Over Lehigh River Bridge Project
Project Description
The I-80 bridges over the Lehigh River are eastbound/westbound structures built in 1965 and approaching the end of their serviceable lifespans. These bridges cross over the Lehigh River, Lehigh Gorge State Park, Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad and SR 1005 (River Road) in Carbon and Luzerne Counties. Combined, the bridges carry an average of 27,400 vehicles per day, about 44 percent of which is truck traffic.
The purpose of the I-80 Over Lehigh River Bridges project is to address the deterioration of the aging bridge structures and provide safe and reliable bridges that will provide connectivity for interstate travelers, commuters, commercial users, emergency services, tourists, and local residents. The project will replace the aging bridges with wider structures; increase the length of the eastbound on-ramp auxiliary lane, the height of the bridges' barriers, and the width of the shoulders to meet current interstate design standards; and improve safety in the corridor.
Stay Informed
To stay informed or to be added to the project mailing list, please complete the form at the bottom of this page. You may also submit comments and feedback by using the form below.
Project Information
County: Carbon and Luzerne
State Route: SR 0080-08B (Interstate 80)
Local Name: I-80 Over Lehigh River Bridge Project
Project Type: Bridge Replacement
Design and Construction Cost: $148.9 million
Anticipated Construction Start: Spring 2024
Anticipated Bridge Completion: Spring 2028
Designer: Michael Baker International
Last Updated: December 2023
View Project History & Funding
Meetings
August 2023 Public Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Resources
What is the National Environmental Policy Act?
What is a Categorical Exclusion (CE)?
Approved Categorical Exclusion - October 2022 (PDF)
I-80 Over Lehigh River Bridge Categorical Exclusion Information – Fall 2022