Steve Guinter of Mackin Engineering attended the July 22 meeting of the Lehigh Township supervisors to explain the plan for safety improvements at a township intersection.

The intersection is at Walnut Drive and Route 248. It presently has a yellow flasher light on Route 248 and a red flasher on Walnut Drive.

The environmental study has been completed as well as an evaluation of a stone building and a tavern. Guinter said there would be no impact on either.

Since Route 248 is part of the national highway system, the federal government is funding the design and may help with the construction.

Route 248 is considered an arterial highway and is used by 12,600 vehicles each day. Walnut is a collector road with 4,000 vehicles using it per day.

The lanes on the improvements of Route 248 will be 11 feet wide with 4- to 5-foot shoulders.

The traffic analysis warrants a two-phase traffic signal with the longer green on Route 248. They will self-adjust according to the vehicles present. There will be a radar detector to control lights and should deter red-light running, said Guinter. All lights will be LED.

There will be traffic supports on all four ways along with pedestrian signals. Overhead street names will be added. Some curbing will define driveways.

Guinter said he has only a preliminary design so it may change. No detours will be needed but there may be short-term lane closures.

Sewer and water lines were checked and will not be a problem. The Lehigh Township Authority has been contacted. Temporary construction easements will be required on private land but no land will be taken by eminent domain.

Construction is anticipated in early 2016 to be finished by late summer.

Turning ratios will be sufficient that trucks can make a turn without encroaching on other lanes.

For Americans with Disabilities there will be a 5-foot by five-foot landing to serve as a refuge area for people who push a button to stop traffic and allow crossing.

"A lot of the work has come from a crash history and shows no need for left turn lanes," Guinter said.

Supervisor Cindy Miller said more traffic is expected and she thought it should be a more complete rebuild. Guinter explained that it would take a lot of land to add left-turn lanes.

Fire Chief Rick Hildebrand asked about guide rails, saying the fire company has responded to calls where cars are in yards or in water. Hildebrand also asked about emergency vehicle preemption which will be included.

The plans will be at the municipal office for three weeks.