Bethlehem Township Commissioners heard a work project update regarding the intersection of Freemansburg Avenue and Farmersville Road Oct. 16.

Jason Besz, Project Manager with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, explained to the board, “the purpose of the presentation is to give this township an overview of the improvements, to give an update on the project’s status, to let you know where we are going from here forward, and to give everyone an opportunity to ask questions.”

Besz emphasized the main purpose of the project is “to provide safety improvements to address congestion and safety” at that intersection. No turning lanes and resulting traffic backups were examples of what is being addressed.

Alternative analysis looking into options such as different types of south/north alignments, traffic lights and turn signals, were cited as possibilities currently being examined.

Environmental studies on these options are currently being researched. Findings will be reviewed by PennDOT.

When this is completed, a final design will be presented for approval.

Besz told the board he expects the approved designed to be up for public bidding in late 2025, with work commencing sometime in 2026. Funding for the project will be key to keeping things on budget.

Commissioner Luke Verdes asked Besz, “Is there anything that the township can do, that is not currently being done, to help speed this project?”

Besz responded that until the environmental studies are done and permits are then issued, nothing can be done to expedite things.

Outside the meeting room, Besz and other representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation made themselves available to anyone who had questions on the specifics of the improvements project.