Your View: Green Light for Right Turns Onto Rt. 412 Isn’t Long Enough (VIDEO)

A traffic light at one of the busiest intersections in the Hellertown area has been causing heartburn for some motorists.

The traffic light at Main Street (Rt. 412) and Cherry Lane is partially in Bethlehem and partly in Hellertown borough.

Cars turning right onto Rt. 412 north from Cherry Lane now have a window of approximately 5 to 7 seconds in which to make the turn, which typically results in just a few cars per cycle legally making the turn. That’s because a “No Turn on Red” sign forbids turning right from Cherry Lane on red. On the other side of the street, on Kiernan Avenue, there is no such restriction for traffic turning right onto Main Street.

There is also no longer a green turn arrow at the intersection. An arrow that was there allowed traffic to turn right onto Rt. 412 from Cherry Lane while northbound traffic waits as southbound traffic continues to move, because of an extended green.

When the video below was posted on Saucon Source publisher Josh Popichak’s Facebook page Jan. 30, it elicited dozens of comments critical of the timing of this light, which is controlled by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

“How is a pedestrian supposed to get across the street in that amount of time?” asked Micheal Foley.

“That light is not that great,” commented Michael Sutherland. “At certain times of day I might try using the side streets to access main street to save time.”

Another commenter, Ed Slaski, said he too uses side streets to avoid having to wait at the light at that intersection.

That practice prompted the sharing of a safety concern by parent Alicia Kichline, who lives near the intersection and said she worries about cars speeding through alleys where children often play.

“If you are cutting through the side streets and alleys please go slow,” she urged. “We have a bunch of kids who ride their bikes and play in the alleys.”

Some questioned the safety of the current timing, since motorists may disregard the “No Turn on Red” sign to save time, resulting in risky maneuvers, particularly at rush hour when traffic can become backed up on Cherry Lane.

“This timing causes accidents because people try very hard to NOT get stuck at a light for more than one cycle,” said Mark Iampietro. “It almost seems as though an adjustment is required.”

What do you think? Does this traffic light remain green for an adequate length of time, or do you agree with the comments on Facebook? Tell us in a comment.