One of the most costly road improvement projects undertaken by Whitehall Township in years is about to begin – the $325,000 reconstruction of Columbia Street from South Church Street to Ringer Road.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. informed the Board of Commissioners at their meeting Oct. 13 that work on the extrensive project can get underway as early as today, Thursday, Oct. 16, weather permitting.

The road will be closed until sometime next week for full depth reclamation, which involves taking the present asphalt down to its core. A second construction company, Hozza said, will then be on the site putting down the binder and then a finish coat of asphalt.

Weather permitting, work on the long anticipated Ruch Street road improvement project will proceed. Ruch Street was scheduled to be closed Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

"The first step will be full depth reclamation scheduled for two days," Hozza reported. The next step will be the binder and then a finish coat of blacktop.

The Ruch Street project, from Center to Chestnut streets, is a joint endeavor with the Borough of Coplay.

The Columbia and Ruch streets improvement will conclude the township's ambitious street improvements for 2014.