MacArthur Road has long enjoyed a reputation as the "Golden Strip of the Lehigh Valley" for its malls, specialty shops, restaurants and other retail businesses.

Whitehall Township now wants to make sure the roadway itself reflects such a designation.

Major safety upgrades have occurred at MacArthur Road and the Route 22 ramps and Eberhart Road north past Municipal Drive.

Township officials now have recently expressed concern regarding the overall condition of the roads.

To that end, the township has asked the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to do some street sweeping on MacArthur Road.

PennDOT has begun sweeping streets on Municipal Drive south to the border with the City of Allentown. The township's public works personnel also assisted with cleaning.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said the work is being completed between 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. and will not impede traffic.

With a break in the weather, township crews will begin the annual chore of sweeping streets. Hozza said the streets and areas to be addressed will be posted well in advance and "no parking" signs set up.

All property owners are asked to sweep the anti-skid materials onto the street or road surface prior to their scheduled street sweeping.

As in former years, the township expects partial compliance. Those who do not move their vehicles run the risk of being ticketed, fined or towed.