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Committee forwards $384,000 pilot for temporary speed cushions, roundabouts and lane narrowing to council
Summary
Allentown's Public Works Committee voted to send Bill 49 to the City Council. The bill would add $384,000 to the 2025 capital fund to implement a Safe Streets demonstration project installing 20 temporary speed cushions, temporary roundabouts on Ott Street, and lane-narrowing striping on South Jefferson Street.
The Allentown City Public Works Committee voted to forward Bill 49 to the full City Council. The ordinance would amend the 2025 capital fund budget to add $384,000 for a demonstration project using temporary, low-cost safety improvements at multiple locations.
City staff said the funding is a match for a "Safe Streets for All" demonstration grant. "We received $384,000 to implement temporary, low-cost safety improvements at different locations throughout the city," the staff member said. "We're going to be installing 20 temporary speed cushions at different locations throughout the city. We're going to be installing temporary roundabouts on Ott Street between Greenleaf and Highland and we're also going to do some line painting on South Jefferson Street to narrow the travel lanes down in hopes to reduce the speeds." The staff member also noted the city installed speed cushions on Irving Street between East Cedar and East Tillman with city funds earlier that day.
Committee members asked how the temporary devices work and whether they would impede emergency vehicles or be movable. One member asked, "What does a temporary roundabout look like?" The staff member described them as "circular rubber-coated devices" placed in the middle of the street for the pilot and said the devices are removable and bolted in place. On emergency response, staff said there is a roughly 2-foot gap between speed cushions so larger vehicles such as fire trucks can straddle them and should not be hindered.
Staff said traffic teams will collect speed and crash data at the 20 locations before and after installation. "If we see that there's a reduction in crashes and there's a reduction in speeds, then we'll seek more permanent solutions at these 20 locations," the staff member said. The staff member added city traffic staff were trained and will handle installation and maintenance; no outsourcing is planned.
A committee member moved to send Bill 49 to council, a second was recorded, and the committee approved the motion by voice vote. The transcript does not include roll-call vote counts or the names of the motion maker and seconder. The bill will next be scheduled for City Council consideration; no council date was specified.
