The Upper Milford Township Supervisors met Aug. 4 with a presentation by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation demonstrating traffic improvements to better the conditions of Route 29. Shoulder-widening and overlaying are among the upgrades.

Creating minor adjustments to existing intersection radii is intended to make turning smoother. In addition to 1,200 feet of pavement reconstruction, PennDOT anticipates implementing more efficient drainage systems, a couple of new left-turn lanes and similar improvements. The modifications have taken into consideration pedestrians and foot traffic.

The PennDOT team also provided visual aids and tentative design renderings. Modern signal installations are among the features expanded upon later throughout the presentation. Members of the design team proceeded to answer some frequently asked questions before opening the floor to those with additional ones. It was clarified construction is anticipated to begin in late 2023, with the estimated duration being 12-18 months. Short-term operations, covering periods including weekends, nights, etc. are more frequently expected than long-term operations that will demand more noticeable shifts in traffic.

It was reiterated the objective of this project is to complete construction as efficiently and quickly as possible while refraining from posing as an inconvenience to the flow of traffic and residents it impacts. Project progress will be shared with the public and can be easily accessed on the PennDOT website: https://www.penndot.gov/regionaloffices/district-5/publicmeetings/lehigh-county.

Feedback is welcomed and questionnaires will be open on the PennDOT website until Sept. 9. The project manager can be contacted at 484-838-5329 or via email at c-eberg@pa.gov for further questions or concerns. The presentation concluded with a demonstration of the project’s website.

A motion to approve the minutes from the July 21 meeting was passed.

A motion to pay the bills including the general fund of $41,343.14 and an acknowledgment of bank transfers was passed.

The first item of new business included a couple of grant program committee recommendations via a memo from Secretary Jessi O’Donald. The committee met Aug. 1 and reviewed 14 submitted applications, with four deemed unqualified. The committee recommended the approval of the remaining applicants. A motion of support was passed.

A letter from Ott Consulting outlined the following matter, namely the Tranquil Acres Release Agreement. In summary, most of the planned area developments are completed, with a courthouse encounter to follow and a couple of additional modifications. A motion of approval was passed.

The Estates at Maple Ridge Credit Release No. 1 for $260,432.10 was brought to supervisors’ attention by a letter from Township Engineer Jeffery Ott. A motion to approve the request was passed.