South Whitehall commissioners have approved guard rail replacement along Iron Bridge Road from Cedar Crest Boulevard to Lapp Road at a cost of $14,559.

Although the eastbound side of Iron Bridge Road has remained open, the westbound lane has been closed due to erosion of the banks along the Jordan Creek.

At the Nov. 6 commissioners meeting, Maintenance Superintendent Herb Bender reported the guard rail repair work will enable the road to reopen in both directions.

“This is Phase One,” Bender said. “Phase Two will cost $600,000 to restore the banks and shoulders to get it up to snuff.”

Director of Operations Randy Cope explained the problems at Iron Bridge Road resulted from stream bank erosion and water rushing down Cedar Crest Boulevard.

Commissioners also approved guard rail replacements for the Crackersport Road bridge, which crosses the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and a culvert on Grammes Road at a cost of $4,896.

“These are on our bridge inspections, and we have to do them,” Bender said.

In another matter, the board approved purchase and installation of a hose dryer for the Woodlawn Fire Company at a cost of $14,090.

“This is a required item they do need,” Police Chief Glen Dorney said.

For the Greenawalds Fire Company, commissioners approved various items related to capital improvements at a total cost of $27,172.

These include a new washer and dryer with plumbing, construction of a code compliant stairs to the mezzanine, relocation of the IT server to a climate-controlled room, and Wi-Fi upgrades to meet current needs.

Moving on to another topic, commissioners appointed David Wilson to the township planning commission to fill the position vacated by Bob Bielecki who resigned.

George Kinney, director of community development, reported Wilson is an engineer who has been attending Lehigh Valley Planning Commission training sessions.

Wilson also served on the township civil service board and public safety commission.