BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Utility work on Main and East Third streets that has detoured drivers on a slow and circuitous path is expected to end this week, officials said.
City Public Works Director Michael Alkhal said Tuesday that PPL has finished its rehabilitation of a utility manhole at Main and Market streets but still must restore the intersection to its previous condition.
And across the river, UGI has been renewing the main and some separate service lines along the Third Street corridor, with closures affecting parts of the westbound lane from Brodhead Avenue to Hayes Street.
Both projects are planned to be done by Friday, though some additional utility work may continue in surrounding areas, Alkhal said.
Northampton Street, a connector between Second and Third streets near the Fahy Bridge, also is closed during the Banana Factory’s demolition.
Third Street
Angelica Maldonado with Cafe Crewy at 21 E. Third St. said the detour and affected sidewalks have “significantly impacted” business.
“We’re having people who are having issues with wondering, ‘Is it open? Are we able to walk by?’ So definitely noticing less people,” Maldonado said.
“We’re having people who are having issues with wondering, ‘Is it open? Are we able to walk by?’ So definitely noticing less people."Angelica Maldonado of Cafe Crewy
The South Bethlehem spot, previously home to Toastique, is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day but Wednesday.
Just a few doors down, F&A Grog House at 117 E. Third St. hasn’t seen the same effect, according to managing partner Jim Flynn.
“It’s not horrendous because we don’t open until 4 o’clock Monday through Wednesday,” Flynn said. “So I’m not getting affected nearly as much as people that are open all day.”
The craft beer-and-burger joint otherwise is open noon to 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to midnight on Sunday.
“It’s not horrendous because we don’t open until 4 o’clock Monday through Wednesday. So I’m not getting affected nearly as much as people that are open all day.”F&A Grog House managing partner Jim Flynn
The convenience of street parking accounts for about 75% of the business, he said, and the restaurant is right between the New Street and Polk Street parking garages — about a three-block walk either way.
Flynn said he happened to do road work earlier in life, so he understood the utility company’s end of things with either rerouting traffic during the day or keeping neighbors up at night with the noise.
Even the sidewalk on the other side of Third Street moving east, halfway between Adams and Webster streets, is currently closed for a corner-lot construction project.
Main Street
Kevin Garces, director of operations for Tapas on Main, at Main and Market streets downtown, said the manhole work and detour has caused some confusion.
“Customers are not wanting to drive through Main Street because they don’t understand the traffic lights. And a lot of people are running the lights because they don’t see them.”Kevin Garces, director of operations for Tapas on Main
“Customers are not wanting to drive through Main Street because they don’t understand the traffic lights,” Garces said. “And a lot of people are running the lights because they don’t see them.”
He said it’s probably an even tougher situation for elderly drivers and pedestrians.
The Spanish-style restaurant and bar is open every day of the week for lunch and dinner.
