BETHLEHEM, Pa. — For those getting around by any means other than driving, there’s more in store for you coming to Bethlehem.
Bethlehem City Council last week unanimously approved $88,802 to put toward the designs of Phase II improvements along the Monocacy Way Trail.
Councilman Bryan Callahan was absent.
The improvements are planned to include about 3,000 feet of paved trail from Schoenersville Road to Union Boulevard, and the replacement of boards along the path’s elevated wooden walkway portion.
“Improvements will continue from Union Boulevard to the D&L Trail at Sand Island and will include but not be limited to installation of wayfinding signs, railroad crossing signs, ADA ramps, and crosswalk improvement,” city Public Works Director Michael Alkhal wrote in a memo to council.
State Sen. Lisa Boscola announced in September 2022 that the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources was sending $441,000 to Bethlehem for Monocacy Way improvements.
The city plans to pair that money with the same amount contributed from its recreation fees.
LVL Engineering Group, of Bethlehem was assigned to complete the design work, with a current deadline of Dec. 31, 2025.
City officials issued a Request for Proposal and heard back from four firms, with quotes ranging from $88,802 to $183,520.
Paving considerations
Councilwoman Kiera Wilhelm said the current wooden path area gets slippery when wet, and wondered whether Alkhal’s team had considered using other materials.
“Just the preliminary stage, the thought was to replace in kind with another wood structure,” Alkhal said. “But when we do the design, we will certainly take those factors into consideration.”
“This is the eight-foot-wide path, so it’s not a significant amount of impervious area that could impact the creek water quality or runoff, from a runoff perspective."Bethlehem Director of Public Works Michael Alkhal
Councilwoman Colleen Laird said she also thought about different path materials in regard to impervious surface and how the nearby Monocacy Creek could be affected by storm runoff.
“This is the eight-foot-wide path, so it’s not a significant amount of impervious area that could impact the creek water quality or runoff, from a runoff perspective,” Alkhal responded.
“The overriding factor for material selected is long-term maintenance.”
December 2023 also came with announcements of safety improvements to come to West Broad Street, with word last week of more work to come for the roadway’s eastern end.
