North Lebanon considers Emma Road, Long Lane bridge replacements

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The North Lebanon Township Board of Supervisors discussed the possibility of replacing the Emma Road and Long Lane bridges, which would cost around $1,116,000, at a budget meeting Sept. 29.

The budget is still in progress, and supervisors have not made a decision about which, if any, bridges to replace or repair. Township manager Lori Books explained that the township did not receive requested grant funds for bridge replacement, and the estimate includes engineering fees and construction.

According to a 2026 budget presentation, the township expects to have $1,881,555 in the capital improvement fund at the end of the year. If both bridges are replaced, including revenues, the fund is expected to have around $1 million remaining at the end of 2027.

Supervisor Gary Heisey said the work needed done but that he was concerned about cost and the effect of Long Lane, a heavily traversed road, being closed for the whole summer. He also floated the idea of replacing one bridge in 2027 and the other in 2028.

Supervisor Ardy Snook asked if the township could obtain grant funds in 2028, and Books said it is always a possibility. She later added that, even if funds were obtained, grant processes would push back actual repairs almost three years.

Recent inspections have found the bridges to be in need of repair or replacement, with a weight limit being added to the Emma Road Bridge in 2024. Books said the township is due for bridge inspections in 2027, and the most recent report told the township action was needed within a few years.

“It’s a matter of, do we do full replacement or just the things on the list that were pointed out, like the scouring and the basins and that kind of thing,” said Books. “We started looking at it before it gets to the point that we don’t have a choice.”

Inspections are required every other year unless, as public works director Jared Balsbaugh pointed out, a bridge reaches critical condition. Then, inspections are required every year or every six months.

Books said repairs on listed items could be done, citing the Halfway Drive Bridge partial reconstruction project in 2023, but, “from what I understand when we did Halfway, that’s just a band-aid.” Heisey agreed, saying repairs would be “kicking the can down the road.”

Supervisor Ed Brensinger said these bridges and scouring problems have been on the supervisors’ radar for a long time, and said it was only a matter of time until they would need replaced. He added that around a third of the expected cost for replacement comes from environmental requirements.

“It’s just like the wall on Jay Street, we know eventually it’s going to have to be done,” said Brensinger. “We’re just trying to be proactive; the longer we kick it down the road, the more expensive it gets.”

Balsbaugh said that, when he worked for Bethel Township, he got a call that a bridge had to be closed and blocked it off to prevent drivers from using it as it was deemed unsafe.

“They were hit with it, and they didn’t have anything budgeted to do it,” he explained. “They waited for a grant, and I think it took almost five years until that bridge opened back up.”

“We don’t want to do that to our residents here,” Heisey responded.

Though both bridges’ replacements were included in the draft budget, Books explained, supervisors are still finalizing budget decisions and will need to choose how they would like to move forward.

The following budget meeting dates have been scheduled, though Books said meetings other than the Oct. 6 fire chiefs meeting and the Oct. 28 meeting are subject to cancellation. Changes to the calendar will be reflected on the township website.

• Oct. 6 at 5:30 p.m.
• Oct. 14 at 2 p.m.
• Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.
• Oct. 28 at 2 p.m.

Though many budget items have not been finalized, supervisors also discussed expected revenues and expenses, including various requested replacements for highway equipment.

Supervisors discussed the possibility of planning for a zoning ordinance rewrite due to various minor adjustments needed, which would cost $15,000 for 2027 and would require the township to plan for the actual rewrite in 2028.

Supervisors also held an executive session to discuss personnel matters (including salary) and potential property acquisition, with supervisors mentioning the possible purchase of property next to the township building for around $200,000.

Following budget meetings, the budget will be advertised and presented to the public before being up for adoption by supervisors at their regular meeting.

North Lebanon supervisors meet at the township municipal building the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.