Motorists approaching the traffic light at Ninth and Main streets in Northampton will soon notice a change in the sequence of the green and red traffic signals.

A meeting held last week between Northampton Borough officials and PennDOT representatives resulted in an agreement to change the timing of the traffic signal to allow for a better traffic flow, particularly for motorists coming across the bridge into Northampton. The change could take place in as little as two weeks.

"PennDOT will add more seconds to the traffic light for vehicles east and west at the intersection," Borough Manager Gene Zarayko said. "The time will be taken from vehicles north and south on Main Street at the intersection."

The present traffic light timing sequence is a problem for motorists from 4 to 6:30 p.m. weekdays. Adding to the issue of stalled traffic on the bridge are vehicles coming down the hill on Ninth Street, westbound, either traveling to Coplay or turning north on Main Street.

PennDOT will not permit a green arrow at the traffic light for drivers turning north onto Main Street. PennDOT officials say there is an insufficient amount of traffic volume to warrant that change, Zarayko said.

Traffic on Main, south of the intersection, waiting to turn left onto the bridge also has experienced backups. The congestion, however, is less than that on the bridge.

The borough sought changes at the intersection when the Hokendauqua-North Catasauqua Bridge was closed for construction due to the two-year bridge project. Since the bridge was closed in January, the only noticeable impact is the backup of traffic on the Coplay-Northampton Bridge in the late afternoon and early evening.

The new Hokendauqua-North Catasauqua Bridge will be completed first. Then, the Coplay-Northampton Bridge will be rebuilt with a turning lane at the Northampton end for vehicles turning left on Main Street.