The Northampton Borough Municipal Authority (NBMA) has played a major role in the Hokendauqua-North Catasauqua Bridge replacement project.

NBMA will replace an existing 12-inch water main on the old steel-grate bridge. The new foot-long ductile iron pipe water main will span approximately 1,200 feet across the Lehigh River.

The NBMA reports the new water main is part of the bridge replacement contract by HRI Inc., State College, the general contractor for the project.

"The bid price of $216,834.26 will be paid by NBMA on completion of the project," said Jerry Deily, NBMA general manager. The new bridge time table for opening is October 2014.

In addition to the above project, NBMA crews will relocate and replace the 12-inch water main on both the Whitehall and North Catasauqua sides of the bridge and connect it to the new main on both sides.

"This work is estimated to cost an additional $50,000 to $75,000," Deily said.

NBMA has three additional active transmission mains crossing the Lehigh River throughout the distribution system.

Whitehall Mayor Edward D. Hozza Sr. said it will adequately satisfy all demands for both the domestic consumption and fire flow requirements during construction. Activation of the fourth transmission main will provide additional assurance in meeting all distribution demands into the foreseeable future.