Bill MacNair, a civil engineer who serves on the South Whitehall planning commission, would like to have some township road projects listed on the Transportation Improvement Program of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

During the Oct. 16 commissioners' meeting, MacNair reviewed traffic issues on area roads and noted the worst congestion is on Route 22, Cedar Crest Boulevard, Route 222 and Mauch Chunk Road.

Although inprovements are needed in many locations, MacNair suggested the township focus particularly on two places for application to the TIP list this year.

Mauch Chunk Road at Scherersville is burdensome, and township Engineer Scott Pidcock did some work on the site some years ago.

At the time, Pidcock made a presentation to commissioners on how the bridge over the Jordan Creek could be improved. He also noted the presence of at least one historic building.

During the discussion of the Mauch Chunk project in the past, Congressman Charlie Dent, R-15th, was present and offered to see if he could obtain federal earmark funds to help pay for it.

Ralph Russek Jr., who serves as township engineer now, recalls the Mauch Chunk project was prioritized about 10 years ago for the TIP list.

He agreed some new engineering work might help it move along on the TIP.

"If you don't continue to update, projects may slide down or off the list," Russek said.

MacNair reported the other major area to focus on is at Route 309 and Tilghman Street.

"This has risen to the top recently," said MacNair, adding the confluence of those two roads is the scene of many accidents.

Russek explained the first engineering task for Route 309 and Tilghman Street would be to determine the scope of the project.

"There will be a lot of work for something of that magnitude," Russek said.

MacNair pointed out Cedar Crest Bouldevard is heavily used and often congested, but said there is no easy way to work on it.

"A lot of property would have to be taken," MacNair said.

He asked commissioners to consider setting aside at least $10,000 to $15,000 in the 2014 budget for engineering work to strengthen project applications for the TIP list.

Director of Community Development Gerald Harbison noted the importance of preparing properly for the TIP list submission.

"To get on the TIP, we have to put on a decent presentation to Lehigh Valley Planning Commission," Harbison said. "That is why we need engineering funds."

Township Manager Jon Hammer said some funding may come through provisions of Pa. Act 209, which allows developer impact fees for use on highway improvements.

He added a note of caution.

"You might spend funds on engineering and not get on the TIP," Hammer said.

Board President Christina "Tori" Morgan thanked MacNair for all his work on the matter.

"Let's take Bill's information as we do the budget process and try to set funds aside to do some engineering and get some of these roads on the TIP," Morgan said.

Commissioners agreed to take the item into consideration at the forthcoming budget preparation workshop sessions.