Plans for the construction of a new state-of-the-art Cementon-Northampton Bridge and the demolition of the present span continue.

Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said last Friday his office was contacted by a PennDOT consultant regarding the status of the bridge.

Hozza said the consultant discussed holding a conference to discuss the future of the bridge, which crosses the Lehigh River.

According to Hozza, the meeting will be private. The session is expected to center on strategies and ideas.

"We will give our input," Hozza said.

The potential route for the new bridge very well could be a topic of discussion.

No date was provided for the meeting or where it will be held. Hozza said he expects the meeting will be scheduled soon and probably will take place at the municipal building.

Northampton Borough Manager Gene Zarayko said the borough has not received from PennDOT correspondence or any other form of communication concerning the bridge, which connects Route 329/21st Street to the bridge and Whitehall.

While no specific route for the new bridge has been announced, the likely location would be south of the present bridge.

Hozza said the present bridge in all probability will remain open during construction of the new span and demolished only after the new bridge is opened. Doing otherwise would pose a problem for traffic.

PennDOT earlier posted lower weight limits on the bridge, which resulted in strict law enforcement for truck traffic.

Hozza said the Cementon Bridge project, from his viewpoint, would not take place until the new Coplay-Northampton Bridge is built and opened in 2017-18.