“It’s disgusting,” said Bethlehem City Councilman Bryan Callahan as he argued against approval of a feasibility study for a pedestrian bridge from Sand Island across the Lehigh River into south Bethlehem.

“I supported this years ago, in part, when the economy was good,” said Callahan.

But he said, “It presents a bad image” for the city to spend $40,000 on a feasibility study for a “bridge to nowhere that isn’t going to be built until years from now.”

Callahan urged the public to contact the city clerk to forward messages to council members to express opposition to spending $40,000 on the study.

“The walking bridge is a luxury,” said Callahan. “If you guys can’t see that, it boggles my mind.

“You’re throwing $40,000 away in the middle of a pandemic.”

Other council members were quick to object to Callahan’s position on the feasibility study.

“This is in the budget which you just voted for,” said Councilman William Reynolds.

Councilman Michael Colon said, “The devil is in the details, but I support the feasibility study.”

Councilwoman Olga Negron said she supports the study.

Councilwoman Dr. Paige Van Wirt objected to Callahan’s “outrage.

“This Callahan outrage is very misplaced,” said Van Wirt. “He voted [earlier this year] to spend [thousands] on the golf course.”

Under the plan, the feasibility study will cost $140,000, which will be funded by $40,000 from the City of Bethlehem, $60,000 from a grant from Northampton County, and $40,000 from a grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

Council President Adam Waldron pointed out that the money in question for the feasibility study is in the budget’s Capital Fund, thus cannot be used for salaries. He was responding to Callahan’s previous objections to planned staff reductions in the police force and the fire department.

Council approved the pedestrian and bicycle bridge feasibility study 6-1, with Callahan casting the negative vote.