Holiday traffic in Whitehall is a little less congested this year now that the construction of the Route 22 and MacArthur Road ramps have been completed.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. credits the completed PennDOT project for helping to alleviate traffic backups at Third Street in Fullerton and auxiliary roads that the public uses to reach the mall and other stores.

Hozza said further timing of the traffic light signals on MacArthur Road and Grape Street has not been undertaken, noting the roads are under PennDOT control.

He also said township police officers are working at the Lehigh Valley Mall. According to Hozza, the mall pays the officers for their duty, not the township.

The police presence is credited with reducing shoplifting and other criminal activity.

Should the township require a stronger police presence, Hozza said state police or police from neighboring communities could be called to assist, although no such action is expected to occur.