New Macungie Signs are Working

The that have been placed on Route 100 in Macungie seem to be having the desired effect.

The signs that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation placed temporarily along Main Street and at the intersection of routes 100 and 29 around June 13 will be permanently installed in the weeks to come.

They indicate two pieces of information truckers didn't see before: a) the presence of and directions to an alternate route and b) that the length of trailers that are prohibited from using the winding hill as part of their route is now anything over 45 feet. It had been 65 feet.

“I don’t think it is the new wording on the signs that make a difference—it’s the number of signs.  There are now six signs instead of two.  I guess the truckers know we are serious and they are turning at Buckeye," Macungie Police Chief Ed Harry said.

Harry had been skeptical that new signs

“When we interviewed the truckers prior to placing the signs, most of them said they saw the sign prohibiting them from going south on Route 100, but chose to continue anyway, instead of turning onto Buckeye.  So it wasn’t a case of not seeing the sign or that it was improperly placed—it was their choice to continue driving [on Rt.100],” he said.

Macungie Council also praised the signs at its July 5 meeting. 

“I have seen a lot less traffic [trucks] going up the hill,” said Chris Becker, a council member who lives at the Main Street and Buckeye Road intersection.

Also at the meeting, Borough Manager Chris Boehm, Mayor Rick Hoffman and some members of council said they will meet with Rep. Doug Reichley Thursday to discuss whether PennDOT is following proper guidelines and inspections regarding the installation of sidewalk curb ramps along Main Street in order to comply with the American with Disabilities Act.

The major concern involves responsibility for repairs if the sidewalks deteriorate before a reasonable time, Becker said after the meeting.  According to a new proposed sidewalk ordinance, the property owner will need to pay for the repairs, but, according to Becker, if they are improperly installed, that isn’t right.  Therefore, council is taking this concern to Reichley to see what, if anything can be done.