Left turn limited at school
Lehighton has taken the next step it hopes will improve safety at an intersection used by students to leave the high school campus.
On a 6-0 vote, borough council on Monday agreed to advertise an ordinance amending a section that would prohibit a left-hand turn from Union Street to Ninth Street during school hours. Councilman Darryl Arner was absent.
Council’s decision is pending approval from the state Department of Transportation, and would amend the times from 7-9 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.
Before the vote, Councilman Ryan Saunders said he believed council was trying to solve a problem that they don’t have, citing that there have only been three crashes there in the past six years.
Borough police Chief Brian Biechy acknowledged that a sign should be there.
“I think a sign should be there,” Biechy said. “I think it’s better than not having anything.”
Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said the current setup backs up traffic and causes other issues as well.
“It all plays together,” Abelovsky said. “I think something is better than nothing.”
Councilman Donnie Rehrig said he believes the borough needs to see the matter through.
Council’s action comes one month after it agreed to table advertising the ordinance due to just four members of council being in attendance.
Council in September authorized the preparation of a request for proposals from engineering firms.
In November, council authorized proceeding with Barry Isett and Associates to prepare and submit the TE-110 for the state Department of Transportation.
In April, borough manager Nicole Beckett provided council with an update as to the status and submissions to PennDOT.
In May, council received approval from PennDOT.
Beckett said the recommendations from the traffic study at that time were to prohibit left turns from Union Street eastbound to Route 902 northbound when school children are crossing the road at school arrival time (7 to 8 a.m.) and at school departure time (2 to 3 p.m.) to eliminate safety concerns with vehicular/pedestrian conflicts.
