More Traffic Expected on S. Broad in Nazareth

The newly installed traffic lights at S. Broad (Route 191) and E. Walnut streets in Nazareth came at the expense of 10 metered parking spaces, yet there’s no telling when the lights will even be activated.

The lights were installed because a state Department of Transportation survey several years ago revealed that the development off Route 33 would increase traffic along Route 191. The new signals are meant to help the flow of that new traffic, according to PennDOT spokesman Sean Young.

But the lights will not be switched on until PennDOT determines if that increased traffic has arrived.

“We don’t want the lights on until the traffic is there,” Young said. “Right now, there is no date for that.”

The Chrin Center didn’t develop as quickly as originally expected. But an engineer from Charles Chrin Companies said the permit to install the traffic lights will expire soon, so the company had the signals installed.

That installation required the removal of 10 metered parking spaces from the west side of S. Broad on Tuesday. The new lines, which were also painted on Aug. 23, include a left-turn lane coming down Broad, which means the through traffic moves closer to the curb. And that required removing those parking spaces.

Jerry Dech, who lives at 120 S. Broad St., said he didn’t use the street spots because he parks along the side of his house. But the only way in and out is by S. Broad.

"The traffic is already terrible. It’s like [Route] 22,” he said. “Getting in and out of our driveways is going to be even more difficult.”

Plus, Dech said, when the lights do go on, the traffic will back up and block the driveways on red lights, making it harder to get in or out.

Chrin paid for the installation of the lights and will pay for the removal of the meters, too. And as part of the deal, Chrin will also pay the borough a lump sum as compensation for the lost revenue from the meters, according to borough officials.

, and this intersection is a turnoff for the . That, said Dech, will only make traffic worse.

Nearly three times as many vehicles use S. Broad Street than there are residents in the borough.

More than 15,500 vehicles use the stretch of S. Broad Street/Route 191 below that intersection every day, and 12,585 vehicles ride the stretch above it daily, according to PennDOT. The 2010 Census puts the population of Nazareth at 5,746.

Once the lights are switched on, they will simply flash for seven days to help drivers get used to the new pattern, and then the lights will be switched to normal operation.

There’s no power to the signals yet, and there is no indication from PennDOT or Chrin when the lights might be switched on, or how much more traffic can be expected.