News Release
July 2003
(Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)—The Bethlehem Bureau of Health’s
Citizen Traffic Advisory Committee (CTAC) recently praised Moravian
College for its proactive approach to increasing pedestrian safety
and making the City more “walker friendly.”
“The lighted crosswalk on Elizabeth Avenue and medial strip
that your institution has constructed has not only beautified your
campus but it has also improved environmental conditions that will
aide in reducing pedestrian injuries and fatalities across the city,” said
Sherri L. Penchishen, R.D., M.P.H., Director of Chronic Disease and
Health Education Programs, Bethlehem Bureau of Health. “These
two improvements will be added to the list of CTAC successes and hopefully
be used as models in other cities across the state.”
Last summer, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation collaborated
with the College to install a lighted pedestrian crosswalk on Elizabeth
Avenue at Monocacy Street. The crossing was the first of its type in
Eastern Pennsylvania. The pedestrian triggered system features lights
imbedded in the crosswalk that flash sequentially to alert drivers
that someone is entering the crosswalk.
During April of this year, Moravian constructed a landscaped and lighted
pedestrian island on the block between the Elizabeth Avenue and Locust
Street intersections. Two new brick crosswalks added at the intersection
of Main and Locust Streets and in the center of the block help drivers
see pedestrians crossing the street. The island makes the street safer
without altering the flow of vehicular traffic from its previous pattern.
The new sidewalks, curbs, street lighting, banner poles, street trees,
and landscaping have transformed the block into a more attractive and
safer streetscape. The center median is covered with juniper and barberry
bushes and has focal points at each end, planted with seasonal flowers.
The College logo and name are proudly displayed on the three lighted
Moravian banner posts spaced along the length of the divider.
