A quarter-mile section of Mauch Chunk Road in South Whitehall, from the north side of the Route 22 overpass to 18th Street will be paved this year.

A bid of $271,752 for the project was awarded to Livengood Excavators at a recent South Whitehall commissioners meeting.

Public Works Manager Jeff Clapper said the roadway, which once belonged to PennDOT, needs to be improved.

He cautioned once the work begins, costs might increase 5 percent to 6 percent over the contracted price but will still be within the budgeted amount.

In other matters, Clapper reported Keystone Consulting Engineers, Wescosville, has completed plans for repair of support beams and decking for the closed Valley Road Bridge near the Guthsville Rod and Gun Club.

The board granted permission to proceed with obtaining bids for the work.

A second aspect of the project requires a stream permit, which is not yet obtained, from the Department of Environmental Protection before bidding.

The board awarded a bid of $594,000 to Construction Masters Services for a 10-foot paved trail and two boardwalks in a section of the Jordan Creek Greenway at Covered Bridge Park.

The project is funded with $510,000 in grants from Lehigh County and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The $84,000 shortfall will be taken from the township’s open space account.

In other business, commissioners approved appointments of residents to fill vacancies on South Whitehall boards and thanked them for volunteering to serve.

These individuals are Diane E. Kelly, planning commission; Keisha Champagnie, parks and recreation board; and Rosemarie Montgomery-Hansted, landscape and shade tree commission.