Major roadway in Bethlehem will see partial closure starting next week

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Motorists traveling along part of a major thoroughfare in Bethlehem should plan for delays next week, city officials said.

Starting Monday, Aug. 11, UGI will begin a project on Stefko Boulevard, stretching from about 1,000 feet south of Pembroke Road to roughly 500 feet north of East Washington Avenue.

The utility work, scheduled to begin right after the end of Musikfest, will reduce the roadway to one northbound lane and one southbound lane, a release said Wednesday.

Crews will use stop paddles to control traffic at intersections while the work is underway, the release said.

Because no full road closures are expected, no detour routes will be posted. However, city officials and UGI warn that drivers should anticipate heavier traffic and allow extra time for travel through the area.

Road projects in Bethlehem

The project is part of UGI’s ongoing infrastructure upgrades in the region, and follows a number of other ongoing roadway projects around the city, including:

• Separate work on East Washington Avenue ongoing and with a goal of completion by Aug. 15, closing the road from Minsi Trail Street to Stefko Blvd.
• The milling, patching and paving of Butztown Road from East Boulevard to Green Lane, which began Monday, closing Butztown Road to through traffic and parking each day. 
• Work on Summit Street, which recently was closed from Broadhead Avenue to Wyandotte Street. 
• Ongoing work on Center Street and North Street, which began July 8 and was expected to last about a month, closing the right lane of Center Street and all of North Street between Center Street and Pine Street.
• Ongoing work on Vine Street and Packer Avenue, which began around July 11 and was expected to last about a month, closing Vine from Morton Street to West Packer Avenue, later closed from West Packer Avenue from Broadhead to Vine.
• Ongoing work on Vine Street and West Graham Place, which began July 11 and was expected to last about a month, with one block closures on Vine from Morton Street to West Graham Place, then West Graham Place closed.