Norfolk Southern is increasing train speeds across nearly 30 miles of its Reading Line through Lehigh and Berks counties.

The speed increase, effective March 14, includes 36 public highway-rail grade crossings on the mainline from Allentown in Lehigh County to Laureldale in Berks County. Train speed will increase to 60 mph from 50 mph except at three crossings, where the speed will increase to 60 mph from 45 mph.

Jonathan Glass, manager public relations, Norfolk Southern Corporation, in Norfolk, Va., provided a press releasing stating the increased speeds are to enhance the efficiency of rail operations in Pennsylvania.

Warning devices at the crossings have been adjusted to properly activate when the faster moving trains are approaching. The changes involved installing new digital track circuitry to activate signals. Expediting the movement of train traffic is expected to improve vehicular traffic flow through these areas. Slower-moving trains occupy crossings longer and can cause traffic delays.

The following crossings by city and street are changing to 60 mph from 45 mph:

•Allentown: 12th and Vultee streets

•Emmaus: Harrison Street; Kline’s Lane

The following crossings by city and street are changing to 60 mph from 50 mph:

•Emmaus: 2nd Street; 3rd Street; 6th Street; 7th Street

•Macungie: Main Street; Gehman Road; Schoeneck Road

•Alburtis: Church Street; Main Street; Penn Avenue; Smith Lane; Schlossburg Street

•Shamrock Station: Kennedy Avenue

•Topton: Chestnut Street; Park Avenue; Haas Street; Main Street; Home Avenue

•Lyons: Kohler Road; Bowers Road; Main Street; Kemp Street; Deka Road

•Fleetwood: Willow Street; Franklin Street; Richmond Street; Walnuttown Road

•Fleetwood, Richmond Township: Keller Road

•Blandon: Hill Road; Guldin Road; Wesner Road; Main Street

•Laureldale: Tuckerton Road

Motorists are reminded to obey railroad crossing signals and warnings and to use caution when approaching all highway-rail grade crossings. Norfolk Southern partners with Operation Lifesaver, an international public education program, to end collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail crossings and on railroad property.

Operation Lifesaver state coordinators are available to make safety presentations to community groups, school children, bus and truck drivers and others who live or travel near train tracks. To schedule a presentation, contact Pennsylvania Operation Lifesaver.

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern subsidiary operates approximately 19,500 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products.