Due to deteriorated areas of the structure, the 15th Street Bridge in the City of Allentown will be permanently closed to northbound traffic effective Friday, November 19. The decision was made today following an inspection by a PennDOT consulting engineer. The closure will take effect following the morning rush hour on Friday.

Following an inspection in July, the bridge had been load restricted to prohibit vehicles that weigh more than 10 tons.

Northbound motorists will be directed to turn right onto Wyoming Street, left on S 10th Street, left on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and right onto the 15th Street ramp.

The 15th Street Bridge was built in 1957. It is used by an estimated 20,000 vehicles a day.

The bridge is scheduled to be completely replaced. The city is currently advertising for bids. Some design work is part of the contract.