Bethlehem Pike in Springfield Township is about to receive a major upgrade, writes Emily Rizzo for the WHYY.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recently announced its plans to convert the Pike from four lanes to two, with a median for turning. In addition, PennDOT will reduce the Pike’s width by a foot, update the traffic signals, and shorten crosswalks. The crosswalk paint will be refreshed, and crosswalk timers will be added to improve pedestrian safety.

Upgrades to curb ramps will also be made to make the sidewalks more ADA accessible. Finally, one turn will have textured pavement. The goal is to increase the road friction for tires on rainy days.

The upgrades will cost more than $2 million. The hope is that these changes will slow reckless drivers and improve safety along the Montgomery County road that saw 143 car crashes from 2018 to 2022.

“The Bethlehem Pike is like a raceway,” said Karen Phelps, the owner of Scarlet Begonias, a clothing store along Bethlehem Pike. “The trucks come flying down that road with no regard for pedestrians whatsoever.”

Read more about the planned upgrades in the WHYY.

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