During its June 19 meeting, Catasauqua Borough Council discussed the safety of residents with regard to a parking lot in the works on Race Street.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is creating the lot due to the loss of parking on Second and Front streets in the borough.

Second Street will become a two-way street. This requires 42 parking spots to be removed from Second and Front streets, between Race and Union streets. The new parking lot on Race Street will create 38 spots. A crosswalk will be created to allow residents to get from the parking lot to their property.

According to borough Manager Glenn Eckhart, the project was approved in 2015. To challenge this decision with PennDOT now would cost the borough $2 million, he said.

Eckhart said PennDOT wants this project to happen and it will proceed, despite concerns, unless a formal challenge is made.

All council members agreed there is no logic in spending that money in a challenge with PennDOT.

A motion was made to agree to PennDOT’s plans to follow through on this project.

The crosswalk plan has reportedly become a point of contention and concern.

Jill Smerdon, chair of the planning and zoning committee, said she believed plans for the crosswalk on Race Street do not clearly show the amount of lighting that will be installed to ensure the safety of residents who need to use it to access their property.

Other council members noted a similar concern, saying crossing Race Street, even with signals, could be a danger due to speeding traffic.

Vince Smith, former borough council president, addressed council members, saying he believes it will be safe to cross Race Street with the proper signalization. He added Second Street also has a good amount of off-street parking.

Smith pointed out PennDOT is experienced with projects of this nature, adding the project was well thought out by the department’s engineers and borough officials at that time.

Smith also reminded current council members PennDOT is providing a grant for this project.

Catasauqua Borough Council will next meet, for committee meetings and a workshop, 6 p.m. July 3 at the municipal complex, 90 Bridge St.