Massive concrete beams arrived last week at the construction site of the Hokendauqua-North Catasauqua Bridge as work on the new bridge ramps up.

"There is a lot of work going on," Rick Molchany, Lehigh County's director of general services, said.

The projected opening for the bridge, which spans the Lehigh River, is expected sometime in December.

The bridge was scheduled to open last November, but its opening was pushed back to April.

The huge concrete support beams arrived on Lehigh Street, Hokendauqua, by way of specially equipped trucks and rigs, escorted by state police and smaller trucks.

Molchany said the massive beams will be set on the new piers, and concrete will be poured into the pans for the road surface.

The road in front of the bridge in Hokendauqua to Water Street at Darktown will also be constructed.

With the official completion date approaching, Molchany said it is significant since the contractor will not be in compliance, with penalties accruing.

Appeals have been lodged in Harrisburg and the outcome might be interesting, he said.

The county and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation differ with the contractor over who is responsible for the delays.