News Release February 2003

• See map of road detours • See architectural drawing • Walking Instructions

Moravian to construct Pedestrian Island on Main Street

Project will beatify roadway, calm traffic, and improve safety

(Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) –Moravian College will soon begin the Main Street Renovation Project that has been in the planning stages with the City of Bethlehem for over two years. Renovation to the one block stretch along Main Street will increase pedestrian safety, enhance the appearance of the campus, and support Moravian’s active partnership with the City in its beautification efforts.

This project will include a pedestrian island in the middle of Main Street on the block between the Elizabeth Avenue and Locust Street intersections. Two new brick crosswalks, much like the crosswalks located downtown, will be added at the intersection of Main and Locust Streets and in the center of the block. New sidewalks, curbs, street lighting, banner poles, street trees, and landscaping along the block will provide finishing touches. The flow of vehicular traffic in this block will not change from its current pattern. The three existing lanes for northbound traffic at the Elizabeth Avenue intersection – one to continue north, a right turn lane, and a left turn lane – will remain.

These improvements will not come without some inconvenience for motorists. Advanced notice for the road closure will be posted on Monday, February 24. At the end of February, Main Street will be closed between Elizabeth Avenue and Locust Street. Detoured traffic will proceed on New Street in both north and south directions. Detours will be clearly marked by signs showing this alternate route. The Main Street closure will last approximately sixty days, until the project is completed at the end of April.

In addition to the road construction, the College is installing new entryways on both sides of Main Street that tie-in with the cobblestone crosswalk on Main Street. The entryways include new pillars and wing walls of limestone and iron rail, lantern lighting, and landscaping.

The contractors for the project are Semmel Excavating, Keystone Engineering, Spillman Farmer, Baldwin/Surry, Green Valley Landscaping, Roth & Ellis, Handwerks, and Albarell.