Whitehall Township Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. says the construction of the township’s new public safety building has been “going very well” since work resumed back in May.

Construction on the project began as scheduled in early March but was forced to stop at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The early shutdown halted construction for six weeks. When work was allowed to continue in the beginning of May, it was with only a limited crew.

In June, however, the project was allowed to return to full capacity as long as they continued to implement new safety protocols. After three weeks with the entire crew, Harakal said they’re catching up to the original schedule.

The $17.5 million construction project is still expected to be completed in December 2021.

Currently the work is in the first phase, which will see the construction of a new two-story public safety building, the foundation of which is already laid out.

Crews have also raised steel supports for a new storage shed for the public works department.

When the public safety building is complete, township staff will temporarily move in so construction crews can begin the second phase, where they will renovate the existing township administrative building.

Once that is also complete, the administrative staff will move back in and the police department will move into the public safety building.

Road construction will also resume in Whitehall Township, with roadways near Hoffman Drive expected to be finished within the next two weeks.

First, crews will complete work from North Church Street to Hoffman Drive, then from Route 329 North to Hoffman Drive after that.

Harakal also announced the township has extended the due date for the real estate tax and garbage fee gross period to July 31.