A look back: Oct. 17, 1979

Temporary repairs to the Lehighton-Weissport Bridge are slated immediately while plans are set for a possible $2.7 million renovation project, it was disclosed today by state Rep. Thomas P. McCall, D-Carbon.

McCall said he was promised action today on the crumbling bridge by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Thomas Larson. He was also told by a Larson aide that permanent repairs might be initiated in six months.

The Carbon County legislator last month paid a surprise visit to Gov. Dick Thornburgh with a chunk of the bridge that nearly struck a house 40 feet below. Since then, McCall has barraged PennDOT with calls for immediate action.