Bridge work planned in Jackson Twp.

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The Jackson Township Board of Supervisors approved a motion to move forward with authorizing contractors to make improvements to the South Ramona Road bridge.

Engineer Steve Sherk explained the repairs will address a partially collapsed wing wall on the bridge. “The bridge is still safe to use for vehicles 10 tons or less,” Sherk said.

Once work is completed on  the South Ramona Road bridge, the 10-ton weight limit will be lifted and increased to a higher, yet-to-be-determined weight level with a combination for single-axle vehicles and another level for combination trucks.

A bridge inspection conducted by Wilson Consulting Group, which specializes in structural engineering, conducted the bridge inspection in October 2025 and advised the work be completed within six months. Bids for the South Ramona Road bridge project will not be advertised publicly due to the high priority of its completion.

“There is an urgency to this repair, and it requires specialized contractors. It also requires that some of the design is delegated to them because it involves shotcrete and soil anchors,” said Sherk.

In addition, supervisors approved a motion to authorize the advertising of bids for maintenance work to increase the scour protection on the East Main Avenue bridge. Sherk said the East Main Avenue bridge posts no imminent threat but has been placed on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s list of scour critical bridges. It is listed as Category B, meaning it is less vulnerable to scour than a Category A bridge.

In other business, supervisors voted to approve:

• Bids to go out for the second phase of the Wheatland Woods Lot 107 project.
• The release of a letter of credit pertaining to the Rolling Hills development in the amount of $6,581.64, as well as a supplemental cash deposit of $7,902. The duration of that letter of credit, essentially covering the integrity of the road, expired Feb. 16.
• Using the CoStars 2026-27 salt contract, after discussing and agreeing on the decision to increase the road salt quantity from 600 to 800 tons for next winter.
• Making a $4,500 deposit for the fireworks display planned for the National Night Out event in Jackson Township on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The cost for the fireworks will be $10,500, up from $9,000 in 2025. Chairman Thomas Houtz said the fireworks supplier, International Fireworks, told him that fireworks materials have been affected dramatically by tariffs.

Supervisors tabled discussion on the need for a new Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority representative. Houtz said the previous representative is unable to fulfill his duties so the position is now vacant. The representative must be a township resident and is required attend monthly meetings. A stipend is provided.

The Jackson Township Board of Supervisors will meet next on Monday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m. at 60 N. Ramona Road. The public is welcome to attend.