Residents help with walking, biking plan

Lower Saucon residents are being asked to provide input on making major corridors in the township more walkable and accessible by bicycle.

An active transportation plan, now in draft form, is moving closer to fruition, with an interactive map of the township rolled out by McMahon Associates. Residents can access the interactive map at https://traisr.net/LST and provide feedback as to where they would like to see improvements, and what form those might take.

Funded through a state WalkWorks grant, the plan focuses on walking and biking and promoting healthy lifestyles, free from the dependency of automobiles, to access recreational areas and other places.

“We’re looking specifically at Routes 378 and 412,” Natasha Manbeck, senior project manager for McMahon Associates, said Wednesday during a Township Council meeting held via Zoom.

Council formed a committee to identify focus areas, and it held meetings in February and March. It heard the first of three presentations from McMahon, which will return in June with results of citizen input and to make recommendations.

Per grant requirements, the plan must be completed by Sept. 30.

It identifies four goals, said Manbeck — the development of a defined streetscape along Route 378 with connected active transportation infrastructure; expanded access connections to the Saucon Rail Trail; providing accessibility to the trail from neighboring communities by walking and biking; and establishing policies that promote expansion of the active transportation network.

Other goals include connections between the trail and Polk Valley Park, the Saucon Valley School District campus and the Hellertown Reservoir.

McMahon Associates will solicit comments for the next month, Manbeck said of the interactive map.

“It’s a convenient way for community members to provide input,” she said.

Council Vice President Jason Banonis said the work of the committee and McMahon in developing the map will help the township.

“This is really going to be an important resource for the community,” he said.

The township will get the word out via its website and social media, Manager Leslie Huhn said.