Bids are in for the demolition of the structure at Third and Grape streets in Fullerton, paving the way for widening of the intersection.

Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. reported on Monday bids are in line with cost estimates for the work. He said the township received bids from 10 contractors to tear down the two-story frame structure, which previously housed an insurance agency.

"The bids have a range of $15,500 as the low and $29,950 as the high," Hozza said. The bids are well within the range the township set for the demolition. The bid contract should be awarded within the next several weeks after review of the bid specifications is completed.

Widening of Grape Street is important, township officials said, because traffic on Third Street uses the intersection with Grape Street as a main artery to and from the Lehigh Valley Mall and stores on MacArthur Road.

The township recently had a huge tree on the south side of the property taken down. Residents of Third Street, who have no available parking in front of their homes, have been parking on the township-owned tract, behind the shuttered structure.

Hozza said he is uncertain when the widening project would occur, although the structure will be removed.

"I'm not going to put up with delays or crap," Hozza said in reference to PennDOT giving its go-ahead. Grape Street is a township road but Third Street is a state road.

Funding for the road improvements will come from the township traffic advisory coffers. Hozza said there is a possibility PennDOT funding for the road project could take place. The project is considered vital in the township's efforts to retain its commercial base as the shopping mecca for the entire region.

A similar project took place recently at a West Castasauqua intersection, which funnels vehicular traffic to and from the north end of MacArthur Road and nearby businesses.