Pennsylvania Department of Transportation representative Christine Frey addressed the Whitehall Township commissioners at the Dec. 4 workshop meeting.

The Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority has a sewer line that runs along the railroad. CWSA wants no infrastructure responsibility in the event they have to work on the sewer line, Frey said. Therefore, for the Riverside Drive project to continue, the township would have to take ownership of any disturbed infrastructure, including trees, the trail and lighting.

The township was reportedly already planning to take ownership of 1.2 miles of road.

Board President Joseph Marx said the sewer line in question has been in service for 45 years and has an estimated life of 50 years. It will have to be replaced sometime in the future, but the exact timeline is unknown.

Commissioners discussed replacing the interceptor line before or at the same time as the Riverside Drive project.

“This is not a shovel-ready project,” Marx said.

There are many regulations to be met, especially with the line being close to the Lehigh River, and revenue would need to be found. Further, the existing line would need to remain in place while the new one is built.

It could reportedly be two or three years before shovels are in the ground.

Frey also asked the board to determine if it wants to exercise eminent domain to make a connection at Kimmet Avenue.

Both these issues will be further discussed in January 2024 when the board is reorganized.

At the next meeting, the board will vote on the 2024 budget and millage rate. The proposed budget shows the township starting the year with $14,638,470, and the millage rate is proposed at 3.8 mills. This is the same rate as 2023.

The board will also vote on the purchase of two BMW motorcycles for the police department and a major subdivision plan regarding a potential tractor supply at 3561 Columbia St.

The board will next meet 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the municipal building, 3219 MacArthur Road.