Public-spirited citizens started a movement looking toward an over-head bridge at the foot of Pine Street. The late, lamented Mr. T. F. Frederick should receive special recognition in this connection on account of his indefatigable labors with Borough Councils, County Commissioners, as well as the President Judge of the Courts of Lehigh, until the bridge became a reality. It was formally opened on Memorial Day, 1908.

In 1948 the bridge was condemned and closed to vehicular traffic. Lehigh County Commissioners agreed to place the bridge resolution on the November 8, 1949, ballot.

Catasauquans campaigned heavily for approval of the resolution. Catasauqua postman, Edgar T. MacAdam reported that he knew better than anyone the need for a new bridge. He had walked the structure 30,000 times from 1929 through 1949, delivering mail thrice daily to West Catasauqua. He cited boards missing from the boardwalk and gaping holes left by missing boards, large enough for a person to fall through.

Townspeople formed a Civic Groups Bridge Committee and secured a unanimous vote from Borough Council, on October 24, 1949, in favor of the erection of a new Pine Street Bridge.

County voters, by a two to one majority, approved the bond resolution, which called for a $1,250,000 bond issue. Finances secured, County commissioners then obtained clearance from the National Production Authority in Washington, D.C. for vital materials. They hired the firm of G. Edwin Pidcock as engineers and awarded the contract to G. A. and F. C. Wagaman Incorporated of Dallastown, York County.

Dedication ceremonies commenced at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 23, 1953, during Catasauqua's Centennial Celebration. Job L. Vaughn, Catasauqua resident and Chief Clerk of Lehigh County, served as master of ceremonies. In attendance were state officials, Gene D. Smith, Secretary of Pennsylvania and Claude T. Reno, Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge; past Lehigh County Commissioners, Elmer G. H. Schellhamer and Truman J. Ruhf; County Judges, James F. Henninger and John H. Diefenderfer and Whitehall Township officials.

Burgess Frank A. Leidich, who had previously served Catasuaqua as its solicitor, extended greetings to the public and introduced the speaker, Judge Reno. Judge Reno described the bridge as a monument to progress, a joint effort of free labor and free enterprise, purchased by the self-imposed taxes of free people and erected by their freely elected public servants.

Miss Catasauqua, Dorothy Guzy, then snipped the ribbon and motorists were allowed a short period to cross the incompleted bridge until the work was completed