ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is figuring out how to allocate nearly $633 million in transportation funds for the next four years, and wants the public's input.
The Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP, stands as the Lehigh Valley's four-year plan to maintain and enhance the transportation system in Lehigh and Northampton counties from 2025 to 2028.
It is the high priority, fiscally constrained program of highway, bridge, transit and multimodal projects to be implemented utilizing federal dollars.
It is updated every two years, and the LVPC is seeking public comment on the current draft online or by phone until June 15.
There will be another public meeting at 4 p.m. June 4, held virtually and accessed through the LVPC website.
Public comments also can be made at an LVTS Technical Committee Meeting on June 12.
Two earlier public meetings to garner comment were held this month.
'Create a seamless network'
According to the LVPC, the update has a focus on planning "to create a seamless network where roads, trails, sidewalks, technology and transit connect everyone to every place."
The TIP is the more tangible list of projects following the FutureLV regional transportation plan, which was updated last year and outlined $4.9 billion of expected funds for transportation projects over the next 25 years.
A needs assessment and many meetings with municipal leaders were conducted as part of the planning process, followed by project selection based on safety, condition and performance needs.
A vote on the final TIP is currently scheduled for a Lehigh Valley Transportation Study meeting on June 27.
Afterward, the program would be submitted to PennDOT and the Federal Highway Administration for anticipated approvals before going into effect on Oct. 1.
According to the document, 80% of funding for the TIP comes from the U.S. Transportation Department, with the remaining 20% coming from PennDOT and local sources.
The full list of projects set to be pursued can be viewed here.
What projects are listed
Of the $632,872,313 investment allocated throughout Lehigh and Northampton counties, approximate allocations are:
- $145 million for bridge replacement and rehabilitation
- $188 million for LANTA transit
- $133 million for roadway expansion
- $80.5 million for multimodal transportation projects
- $45 million for roadway reconstruction and modernization
- $16 million for planning and research
- $23.5 million for other road costs
- $2 million for railroad crossing updates
Resurfacing projects are listed for State Route 33, Lehigh Street in Emmaus and the City of Allentown, State Route 309, Main Street in Northampton Borough from 21st Street to Cherryville Road and Linden Street in Bethlehem from Elizabeth Avenue to Washington Avenue.
Other projects listed include left turn lanes are set to be added at the Route 100 and Route 29 intersection in Upper Milford Township and the Fourth Street and Susquehanna Street in the City of Allentown.
Other highlights include the replacement of the Fifth Street Bridge over Route 22 in Whitehall Township in 2027-28 for $7 million and the rehabilitation/replacement of the Farmersville Road Bridge over Route 22 in Bethlehem Township.
In Bethlehem, lighting of Route 378 from the Hill to Hill bridge to Route 22 is scheduled for 2026-2028 at $2 million.
'Mega projects,' LANTA highlighted
Three projects in the TIP were listed at a cost of more than $50 million, dubbed "megaprojects" by the draft.
They are:
- Route 309 and Center Valley Parkway Interchange conversion to an interchange with a bridge crossing. A southbound onramp from the Center Valley Parkway to Route 309 will be added ($57 million)
- Route 378 Hill-to-Hill Bridge rehabilitation over the Lehigh River, railways and city streets in Bethlehem ($56 million)
- Route 309 and Tilghman Street interchange reconstruction and upgrade, including drainage improvements and traffic light installation at ramps ($54 million)
Two other projects have more than $10 million programmed:
- Route 22 & Fullerton interchange ramp improvements and connectivity with East Wood Street ($17.6 million)
- Route 145 (MacArthur Road) bridge replacement/rehabilitation over Jordan Creek and widening to three lanes from Fairmont Avenue to Jordan Parkway in Whitehall Township and Allentown. ($12.7 million)
The drafts note that it doesn't include projects on the LANTA and interstate TIPs, and states that the actual total costs for the projects could be larger because they might take longer than the four-year TIP period.
Construction of the Lehigh Valley International Airport northside logistics and cargo complex in 2025 is listed at $75 million.
A $40 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant recently announced to support the effort.
In addition to the more than $120 million allocated to operating assistance, $1.4 million is designated to facility improvements and equipment, $7.5 million to the replacement of 54 vans/minibuses based on age and condition among other funding support.
Also, $2 million is going to support the newly introduced LANTA Enhanced Bus Service.
