The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), announces a Plans Display for a project on Mauch Chunk Road in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County.
This online plans display includes digital picture boards and a comment form available to the public until August 18, 2023.
PennDOT is proposing improvements to the traffic signal and pedestrian safety conditions at the intersections of Mauch Chunk Road (State Route 1017) and Presidential Drive, Mauch Chunk Road, Pirma Avenue (State Route 1021), and Girard Avenue, and Mauch Chunk Road and Scherersville Road within South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
The intersection of Mauch Chunk Road and Presidential Drive is currently unsignalized with the Presidential Drive approach stop-controlled. A preliminary traffic analysis indicates that queuing and delay on Presidential Drive can be mitigated by signalization and signal warrants are currently met. The proposed improvements to the intersection include the addition of signalization and pedestrian crossings. At the intersection of Mauch Chunk Road, Pirma Avenue, and Girard Avenue and at the intersection of Mauch Chunk Road and Scherersville Road, pedestrian crossings are currently prohibited. However, upcoming extensions of the Jordan Creek Greenway is expected to increase pedestrian and bike activity in the area. Pedestrian crossings and pushbuttons are proposed at both of these intersections.
At the intersection of Mauch Chunk Road, Pirma Avenue, and Girard Avenue, a poorly defined residential driveway opposite Girard Avenue has uncontrolled access within the signalized intersection and causes confusion for those waiting at the signals. A full signal upgrade is proposed for this intersection. In addition, a full signal upgrade is proposed at the intersection of Mauch Chunk Road and Scherersville Road.
The project is anticipated to be constructed during the 2024 construction season. All schedules are subject to change.
The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project and receive public input regarding any questions or concerns with the project. It is also an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the project's potential effect upon cultural resources pursuant to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 36 CFR Part 800 regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation/interpretation services or have special needs or have special concerns that require individual attention, please contact PennDOT Project Manager Robert Prophet, at c-rprophet@pa.gov or 610-326-3100.
Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, PennDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. If you feel that you have been denied the benefits of, or participation in a PennDOT program or activity, you may contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, DBE/Title VI Division at 717-787-5891 or 800-468-4201.
For more information on projects occurring or being bid this year, those made possible by or accelerated by the state transportation funding plan (Act 89), or those on the department’s Four and Twelve Year Plans, visit www.projects.penndot.gov.