East Allen Township Board of Supervisors reviewed engineering reports on the Jacksonville Bridge at its meeting April 12.

The bridge is in need of repair, but not anything that is deemed an emergency repair. Township Engineer James Milot suggested supervisors consider replacing the bridge.

“We can make the repairs suggested, but these are just repairs, and we don’t know how long they will last. The need to put a new surface on the bridge might not last its full life because the supporting beams may deteriorate,” he said.

Milot is concerned about the bridge guards because they tilt out enough that an accidental hit might cause a collapse.

However, cost is a factor - along with a jurisdictional dispute. Chairman Roger Unangst indicated the bridge should be a county bridge. Apparently, that battle was fought and the township lost.

The last estimate on replacement was $2 million.

“We can do a lot of repairs at $20,000,” Unangst said.

The bridge replacement cost is outside the scope of the township’s budget. Milot will check on options under Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s fast replacement program.

In other business, Scout Nick Hanna proposed constructing benches in Bicentennial Park as part of his Eagle Scout project. His plan met the standards the board was looking for, and the board gave Hanna unanimous approval to proceed with the project.

The township is purchasing new recycling bins for residents. Pricing was determined by CoStars. The board gave approval to move ahead with the purchase.

Township Supervisor Deborah Seiple gave an overview of the proposed Jacksonville Park master site plan. The park has been on the books for years. The project is stalled because of cost. The last estimate came in at approximately $700,000. Seiple wants to explore an option where a developer could develop all or a portion of the park in lieu of recreation fees.

The township will receive some assistance money to demolish the abandoned brick building on Weaversville Road that was part of the land purchased by the township for use as a park.

A proposed meeting is scheduled for May 10 with Rock Lehigh Valley. The meeting is a presentation of the proposal by the Rockefeller Group to build warehouses on Weaversville Road. The meeting was scheduled on two previous occasions, but Rockefeller Group asked for an extension. The proposal has a contingent of residents who oppose the measure. At the first scheduled meeting, 50-plus people were ready to make their point.