SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A transportation plan to identify strategies to make some of the more dangerous roadways in South Whitehall Township safer was advanced by the board of commissioners on Wednesday.
The board adopted a resolution for Phase 1 of the South Whitehall Transportation Plan.
The plan is to eliminate high injury crashes and enhance safety throughout the township.
The priority areas represent specific locations where crash history and roadway conditions warrant immediate action.
The roadways are:
- Hamilton Boulevard
- Intersection of Route 309/Ridgeview Drive/Bulldog Drive
- Route 22
- Walbert Avenue
- Cedar Crest Boulevard
- Tilghman Street
Representatives of Bowman Consulting, of Exton, Chester County, presented details of the plan to commissioners.
“There are six priority corridors,” Bowman Senior Project Manager Randy Waltermyer said. “We’re going to do a road safety audit to study them.”
Funding will come from Safe Streets for All, a new federal program designed to help advance the nation’s goal of zero roadway deaths.
'Ensure we're taking positive steps'
From 2018-22, South Whitehall Township roadways experienced 49 high injury crashes resulting in a fatality (11 crashes) or serious injury (39 crashes).
Phase 1 covers public engagement and public safety.
Phase 2 will cover freight, road and congestion analysis.
“The township has recognized that these types of crashes are not only unacceptable but also avoidable. And it has made a commitment to taking the steps needed to eliminate future high injury crashes.South Whitehall Transportation Plan
“The township has recognized that these types of crashes are not only unacceptable but also avoidable,” the report said.
“And it has made a commitment to taking the steps needed to eliminate future high injury crashes.
“This plan aims to lay the foundation for achieving this goal by identifying existing safety concerns and offering potential solutions that can create a transportation network that is safe, comfortable and accessible for all modes of travel and for people of all ages and abilities.”
Commissioners also approved a motion to create a Vision Zero Task Force in the township.
The task force oversees and guides implementation of Vision Zero strategies within a specific community or jurisdiction.
It aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries by addressing the systems that contribute to road crashes, including roadway design, speed limits and behavioral factors.
The task force would meet two or three times a year and coordinate with the Public Safety Commission.
The township would need the approval of the PSC to implement the plan, township Planner Christopher Strohler said.
Waltermyer said the transportation study will be a tremendous advantage for the township.
“This provides us a roadmap to ensure we’re taking positive steps,” he said.
A national collaborative campaign goes local
Last spring, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission started the process of applying to become a Vision Zero region.
It came after plans and legislation for reducing traffic-related deaths had already been passed in Allentown, Easton, Upper Macungie and South Whitehall townships.
A year before, South Whitehall Commissioners had voted to adopt a new Traffic Calming Policy, which outlined the process for the township to implement speed reduction measures in neighborhoods.
Like other municipalities, they are now entering or anticipating the first phase of Safe Streets and Vision Zero.
In January, Bethlehem officials announced improvements that will include, but are not limited to, installation of curb bump outs and pedestrian refuge islands at certain intersections to reduce the crossing distance.
This week, Allentown officials said similar plans are in place and speed cushions and other minor traffic-calming measures are soon to be installed at 20 locations around city schools and parks.
