Location: 4 Jordan Drive (Riverside Drive - Furnace Street to City Line)
Description: New roadway and trail - Riverside Drive - Furnace Street to
city line.
File: LMA 2024-00003
J. Gomez presented the Riverside Drive Extension project including
specifications, roadway widths, intersection configurations as well as the
proposed parallel walkway. Plan details were discussed as well as an
overview of waivers that have been previously granted by the Commission.
Staff and city department reviews and recommendations were shared with
the Commission.
C. Stanford of MBI presented updates on the proposed extension including
a non-paved, stone walkway up to
bridge street. (within Whitehall Twp.) and noted that the trail would be
owned and maintained by Lehigh
County, while roadways would be owned and maintained by the City of
Allentown and Whitehall Twp. C.
Stafford also presented standard cross-sections including the roadway and
trail configuration. Stormwater
management discussion was limited.
Finally, Chris updated the Commission on the project approval, design,
and construction scheduling, estimating
construction beginning in 2027. Pointing out that their goal is to address as
many comments as possible prior
to passing it off to the Design/build team.
The Commission inquired about the residual property on east side of
riverside drive north of American
parkway, and if access would be provided from Riverside or American
Parkway. The applicant’s engineer
pointed out that they will be working in this condition through with City staff.
The commission raised concerns over traffic calming devices. The
consultant provided multi-way stops at each
intersection. The commission recommended speed tables and lane
narrowing if possible. Lastly, the
Consultant pointed out that the intent is to restrict truck traffic after Jordan
Street.
Public Comment:
Residents came out in support of this project and encouraged the city
commission to help move this project
forward, Mike Dravenstott encouraged to move the project along as quickly
as possible. He stated this will be a
14 mile loop from….there are a lot of pieces coming together.
Jim Spang says they back the D&L trail. The Riverfront Civic Association
backs anything D&L puts forward. Ed