Troublesome Bethlehem intersection gets additional safety measures

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — One early February morning, a police chase ended in flames on West Market Street.

A routine traffic stop turned into a pursuit when Devon J. Legrand failed to stop and led police along West Market Street for five blocks, driving up to 80 mph in a 25-mph speed limit zone, court documents show.

The Subaru that Legrand drove also crashed into several parked vehicles, it says.

It was just one example of how the intersection had turned into a dangerous stretch of road, authorities said.

But they hope new safety measures will change that.

After numerous complaints from community members and speed surveys, Bethlehem Public Works Director Michael Alkhal said, the city installed additional stop signs at 13th Avenue and West Market Street.

Bethlehem Police Lt. William Audelo said it's a routine measure performed by both the city police department Traffic Division and the city's public works department.

"So we work together and we share statistics and information and the complaints as well to kind of identify issues that are affecting our roadways," Audelo said.

'Protect pedestrians, avoid accidents'

Audelo said that as officials looked at traffic statistics, "this stretch of West Market does have stop signs along the way."

But there was "a gap, and specifically with the 13th and West Market intersection," he said.

"It is a very busy intersection because of all the traffic coming northbound from Lehigh Street trying to, you know, approach Broad Street and or just West Market," he said.

"So that increased traffic, and then that lack of a four-way intersection, in addition to the complaints received by the community, really had us take a deep look into whether or not we could kind of calm some of that traffic, protect the pedestrians and avoid accidents that were unnecessary."

'Advantageous to modify'

A speed survey at the intersection found most drivers to pass through within the speed limit, Alkhal said.

But about 3% of cases would have been "enforceable" — meaning they traveled 10 mph or more over the speed limit.

"But you know, if you live along there, and let's say three cars out of 100 are going fast, of course you're going to be concerned," Alkhal said.

"And you're going to think that there's a speeding issue there."

After reviewing the corridor, Alkhal said a few spots appeared to be "advantageous to modify" — one of them being 13th and West Market, where the former two-way stop has now become a four-way stop.

"So I would say the main point for installing [those] stop sign[s] would be to slow that traffic down, ensure that they're not getting up to speeds that are dangerous for the other drivers pulling out onto the roadway or trying to cross the roadway," Audelo said.

"And therefore protecting the drivers from accidents, but also the pedestrians that have to judge the speed of the vehicles as it's approaching and they're looking to walk across the road."

An 'adjustment period'

In the meantime, Audelo warned residents of the "adjustment period" to the new stop signs. Flashing lights also were added to the new traffic signs to alert drivers.

Officers will continue to monitor the area and alert drivers that may not be aware of the additional stop signs if a traffic stop is warranted, Audelo said.

"We're already getting some feedback about people either upset about the installation or, you know, they observe somebody not come to this complete stop or roll through it," Audelo said.

"And I would just like to calm residents and say that this is brand new...

"So while we have this adjustment period, I would just ask that people be patient, be mindful, be careful."