Township Officials, Local Legislators Meet Regarding Contested Intersection Improvements

Two state legislators attended a meeting earlier this week in an effort to improve the intersection of Route 191 and Friedenstahl Avenue and get a traffic signal installed, Gary Asteak, Upper Nazareth Township's solicitor, reported to the supervisors Wednesday night.

Township officials turned to their local legislators after the Nazareth Area School District took back $500,000 earmarked for the improvements, .

The improvements were part of the new $49 million  construction plans.  The school opened its doors in September 2009.

According to Al Kortze, the township's engineer, left-hand turning lanes put a monkey wrench in the plans.

“Even if they’re required, there are so many other improvements that flow from that -- the moving of utility poles and the restructuring of drainage areas, which is why the costs blossomed,” Kortze said.

The left-hand turning lanes had been mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, according to Kortze.  If approved, there would be two left-hand turning lanes, both on Route 191. Depending on the direction of travel, the driver would either turn left onto Friedenstahl Avenue or turn left onto Schoeneck Avenue.

Attending Monday's meeting in addition to Asteak were state Sen. Lisa Boscola and state Rep. Joe Emrick, Supervisors Scott Sylvainus and Willard Mohn, and PennDOT representatives.

“The room was filled and there was very active discussion about trying to find a solution,” Asteak said.  “I got the sense that those decision makers are anxious to help us out.  I know Lisa Boscola did the best she could to pressure [PennDOT] to find an accommodation.”

Asteak added that, as an end result of the meeting, a working group would be formed.  The group will consist of PennDOT engineers, the engineer for Nazareth Area School District, and Kortze.  A meeting is planned for May 9 at PennDOT’s local office.

“It should be a real lively and action-packed meeting with a room full of engineers,” Kortze said.  “The pleas for relief of this left turn lane fell upon people who can do something about it … we’re pretty fortunate to meet with the head of District 5-0, who has the ability to look at some of these things and grant relief and bring the scope of the project back to something we can manage.”

Chairman Mike Rinker was pleased to hear of the progress.

“So the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned back on?” he joked.

“It’s faint and it’s in the distance, but it’s there,” Kortze said.