If you think Hellertown’s Main Street needs improvement, you’re not alone.
State Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-18) announced Tuesday that $160,000 in local share (LSA) gaming dollars has been allocated for various pedestrian safety improvements along Main Street–which is also Rt. 412–in the borough.
“I was determined to keep LSA funds flowing to our communities for a wide range of important projects,” Boscola said in a news release. “I will continue to work with local leaders to obtain funding resources aimed at improving our communities.”
The funding will be used for pedestrian safety improvements at the intersections of Main and Thomas Avenue (by 7-Eleven) and Main and Hampton Avenue (by Lost Tavern Brewing).
“The crossing at Thomas Avenue will receive two thermoplastic striped crosswalks along with pedestrian push button-activated rapid flashing beacon signs to notify oncoming traffic when a pedestrian is in the roadway,” the news release stated.
Rapid flashing devices similar to this one won’t be installed at the Water Street rail trail crossing or along Main Street in Hellertown, because the Federal Highway Safety Administration no longer supports their use. However, a different type of pedestrian-activated flashing signal is to be installed at the trail crossing.
A similar device is to be installed at the Water Street rail trail crossing in Hellertown, where the flashing signal will be mounted on a pole above the road.
It’s not clear whether the pedestrian-activated rapid flashing devices along Main Street will be installed on horizontal metal poles above the roadway.
At Main and Thomas, four handicapped-accessible ramps will be installed along with two curb extensions to shorten the crossing distance for walkers.
A bus shelter will also be installed there to provide cover for waiting riders.
“The Hampton Avenue crossing will receive pedestrian push button-activated roadway LED in-grade lights along with a new decorative stamped crosswalk on the south side of the crossing,” the news release said. “A thermoplastic pedestrian crosswalk will be installed across the west side of Hampton (and) three ADA ramps will also be installed.”
The funding for these improvements is earmarked from the state’s LSA program that requires Pennsylvania casinos to provide a percentage of funds for projects in contiguous counties.
In this case, funds were received from Mt. Airy Casino in Monroe County.
The “take it to make it” flags that can be used by pedestrians crossing Main Street at Hampton Avenue in Hellertown are meant to help increase their visibility to motorists. The flags are just one pedestrian safety improvement the borough has undertaken along the busy Rt. 412 corridor.
