Lehigh Times

Senator Jarrett Coleman and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) have announced a new safety corridor designation for U.S. Route 22. The designated area stretches from the Interstate 78 split in Lehigh County to the PA 33 interchange in Northampton County.

Coleman, representing the 16th district, expressed his concerns about frequent accidents on Route 22. "It seems like every day there’s another accident on Route 22. My constituents are always mentioning this concern to me," he stated. He emphasized his personal experiences with traffic delays and injuries caused by these incidents.

After his election in 2022, Coleman engaged with PennDOT officials regarding the high number of accidents involving heavy trucks on this highway section. He formally requested the safety corridor designation through a letter last year and maintained regular communication with PennDOT to stress its importance.

"I appreciate that PennDOT analyzed the crash data and reached the same conclusion that everyone in the Lehigh Valley did," Coleman remarked. He noted that while long-term infrastructure improvements are necessary, this designation will lead to immediate changes such as new signage and increased traffic enforcement.

Christopher Kufro, PennDOT District 5 Executive, highlighted the significance of this initiative: "Safety on Pennsylvania roadways is always a top priority to PennDOT." He added that reducing crashes on U.S. Route 22 will save lives and decrease congestion, making it an essential step forward.

PennDOT regulations define a safety corridor as an area targeted for enhanced signage, enforcement levels, and penalties aimed at eliminating or reducing unsafe driving behaviors linked to crashes and fatalities.

For further information, contact Leo Knepper at 717-787-1349.