BETHLEHEM, Pa. — It’s only a matter of time before pedestrians are hit by oncoming traffic as is the frequent case of parked cars along Pennsylvania Avenue, residents told City Council last week.
The Rev. Bruce Stevenson, who lives along the 1200 Block, told council Wednesday he'd like to see a white line painted on the roadway, similar to intersecting Eaton Avenue to the south.
“My wife and I have had three cars hit and totaled,” Stevenson said. “We’ve gone from a no-car-payment family to a two-car-payment family.”
Pennsylvania Avenue is about a mile and a half long, running from West Broad Street past Lehigh Shopping Center and residential neighborhoods before ending at Catasauqua Road.
“I love where I live, and I want to keep us safe."Bethlehem resident Maritza Figueroa
With a bit of the road split by a median, drivers take to the street like it’s a two-lane road and it’s not, resident Maritza Figueroa said.
She said her son’s car recently was parked in front of their home when it was hit and totaled.
“I love where I live, and I want to keep us safe,” Figueroa said. “I’m just asking you to please help us out, to please at least back us up so maybe the city can help us at least get that line there so that we can keep everybody safe.”
Neighbors Stevenson and Figueroa said it's their second time each coming to council to voice their concerns about the roadway.
Driver behavior, limited resources
City Public Works Director Michael Alkhal said, “Two things that have kept us from doing the line: resources and, more importantly, at least the past evaluations, we weren't convinced that a white line is going to solve the safety concerns that are being brought up.”
“Even if we’re not 100-percent convinced it may work, we will consider painting the line."Bethlehem Public Works Director Michael Alkhal
Alkhal said driver behavior is a key culprit in this case — he added speed enforcement may be of some help among limited options otherwise — but the work wouldn’t necessarily be cost-prohibitive and his team would have another look.
“Even if we’re not 100-percent convinced it may work, we will consider painting the line,” Alkhal said.
Maybe additional police patrols in the area could help, said Councilwoman Rachel Leon, who was joined by a few other panel members in their concerns.
Leon and Councilwoman Colleen Laird said they'd be happy to join city staff and residents in a walk of the area and broader safety discussion.
“I would advocate to look into it, strongly,” Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith said.
Mayor J. William Reynolds said contracted roadway improvements for West Broad Street require a Complete Streets plan, which would detail how the city can make its streets as safe as possible for walkers, bikers and drivers.
But Reynolds said officials obviously wouldn’t wait for completion of the plan to have staff weigh further safety options in the meantime.
“It’s really sad for these people to come here and beg," resident Stephen Antalics said. "Literally beg, for a safe existence."
