South Whitehall Township is moving forward with long-anticipated improvements to the intersection of Hamilton Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue.

At its recent meeting, the board of commissioners unanimously approved a motion to advertise bids for the project, which is funded through a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Automated Red-Light Enforcement grant.

The township was previously awarded $554,855.31 through the ARLE program to conduct traffic signal upgrades aimed at improving safety, reducing congestion and enhancing pedestrian access.

Planned improvements include optimizing traffic signal operations, installing new crosswalk striping in accordance with PennDOT standards and replacing existing pavement loop sensors with modern traffic-sensing cameras.

The project will also add countdown timers and quick-release pedestrian push buttons, construct sidewalk and bus stop pads for transit users and improve signage throughout the intersection.

The bid package was prepared by the township engineer and staff in accordance with all ARLE grant requirements.

PennDOT has already indicated the specifications are approved and ready for advertisement.

According to the project timeline, bid advertisements will be released in late summer or early fall.

If bids come in within budget, the township anticipates awarding the contract this fall, with construction beginning this winter.

Substantial completion is expected by early 2026.

Officials noted they are working to ensure the intersection improvements are finished before the start of the 2026 Dorney Park season to minimize traffic impacts.

During public comment, resident Don Sheatsley asked about the possibility of constructing a pedestrian bridge over Hamilton Boulevard.

Township Manager Tom Petrucci said a safety audit of the corridor is currently underway, and while a pedestrian bridge could be considered in the future, such a project would require significant federal and state funding.

The commissioners voted 5-0 to proceed with advertising the bid package, marking an important step toward addressing one of the township’s busiest intersections.

The South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners voted down a request from the developers of the Ridge Farms project to enter into a pre-security agreement for Phase 1B.

The proposed phase, located at the northwest corner of Cedar Crest Boulevard and Walbert Avenue, is planned to include town homes, duplexes and “towns over flats,” a mix of apartments and two-story units.

Developer representatives sought permission to begin work before posting the full financial security typically required under township regulations.

While pre-security agreements are sometimes allowed for limited site work, the scope of this request went beyond what is usually permitted.

Township staff expressed concerns over utilities, stormwater management, lighting and coordination with PennDOT.

Representatives for the developer, including Attorney Ron Reybitz of Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C. and engineer Jason Englehardt, argued moving forward now would prevent “double work” by allowing utilities to be installed while soil and grading work is underway.

They also said their client was willing to increase an initial deposit from $50,000 to $120,000, with replenishment required at $80,000 and to exclude certain items such as water, paving, sidewalks, curbing and trees from the pre-security request.

Township officials acknowledged the revisions but said more clarity was needed.

Commissioners agreed the proposal had changed significantly during the discussion and they preferred staff and the developer work together to refine the details before returning to the board.

“I’d rather see us deny this, talk to staff, make it clear what you’re going to do and then come back to us a little bit cleaner,” Commissioner Chris Peischl remarked.

Others noted similar agreements in earlier phases of the development were handled directly by staff without board action.

After discussion, the commissioners voted against the motion to approve the request.

The developer was encouraged to continue working with township staff to address outstanding concerns.