Bridge-watchers following the daily progress in the construction of the Hokendauqua Bridge project won't have to brave the cold winter weather to observe the action, as work to construct the bridge's deck will not take place until the spring.

With the last section of the old steel-grate bridge removed, some onlookers speculated that trucks would soon be hauling in steel beams for the bridge's deck.

However, Glenn Solt, the county director of general services indicated that speculation is unfounded.

"It will be sometime next spring that steel will be arriving on the site," Solt told The Press.

Solt added current work by construction crews continues daily to build the bridge's foundation and piers.

With the two smaller bridges on the Hokendauqua side in Whitehall Township and the large steel grate bridge demolished, work is proceeding on the new alignment with a straight route, improving sight lines and the hump on the smaller bridge.

The new bridge will have a concrete deck instead of the steel-grate surface.

"The new bridge should be completed in November or December of 2014," Solt said.

When the bridge is finished, work will proceed on replacing the Coplay-Northampton Bridge.

During this construction project, motorists will be detoured to bridges north or south of the Coplay-Northampton Bridge, including the new Hokendauqua Bridge.