Northampton Borough is expected to see a major uptick in truck traffic once the FedEx Ground distribution center opens in Allen Township, along with other similar warehouses and distribution centers that may follow.

Taking into account that the borough planning commission has followed council’s request to study and make recommendations for the comprehensive plan, which after two decades needs to be reviewed, borough Planner Victor Rodite related the news to council and the administration via a report at the Jan. 5 council meeting.

“Changes particularly in Allen Township will have major unanticipated traffic and other impacts upon the Borough of Northampton,” Rodite said.

Mentioning the borough’s comprehensive plan seems to be relevant and doesn’t require major upgrading, it is what is going to take place in neighboring Allen Township that has to be a concern for the borough.

Rodite described the FedEx Ground project in Allen Township and its traffic “as a major traffic game changer - not only in Allen Township, but also in the Borough of Northampton.

“The way I interpret this news is that the Borough of Northampton will be impacted by major truck traffic in the future that we did not consider in our Northampton Borough comprehensive plan,” Rodite said.

There will be a significant number of workers and related service vehicles driving to these warehouses and distribution centers, he added, with their routes passing through Northampton.

“We have an opportunity to plan for this impact and to work with Allen Township and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission in order to reduce the negative impacts and hopefully increase the positive impacts of this growing industry, such as more local work and related businesses,” Rodite said.

Rodite mentioned to improve the borough street system, two months of traffic accident data has been collected from the police department. Rodite is compiling the information, which is ongoing.