When $80M doesn’t seem like a lot
On its face, the headline you just read is ridiculous.
In what world is $80 million not a truckload of money? Especially when we’re talking about money funded almost entirely by the taxpayer.
But in the world of long-term transportation infrastructure maintenance, that kind of money can feel like a bucket full of water in the Olympic-size pool of funding we’re going to need to handle the needs of arguably Pennsylvania’s fastest-growing and most successful region.
The new $1.2 billion Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is a much-needed, groundbreaking investment in our nation’s infrastructure. Perhaps the most encouraging aspect is that, after decades of neglect, it injects a sense of urgency to a transportation network that sits at the heart of our economy and daily lives.
Certainly, the $80 million the IIJA will pump into the Lehigh Valley over the next four years is much appreciated. But as we enter the Public Comment period of our draft fouryear, $484.7 million Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), it has become crystal clear that this money is no quick fix for our many needs. It doesn’t reverse 30 years of not investing enough and it certainly doesn’t erase this region’s list of unfunded transportation projects that sits at $4 billion — yes, with a “B” — and growing.
However, the IIJA reminds us that this elevated priority on our nation’s roads, bridges, trails, transit, airports, water and sewer systems, internet connectivity and climate action, should become the new normal. If that sense of urgency is just one-time legislation, we’ll stay in a situation where $80 million feels like applying a band-aid to a gaping wound.
And we can all be part of stopping that. We can all urge our community, municipal and political leaders to keep the pressure on, and perhaps most importantly, we can all pay close attention to this important issue.
This is where you can all start right now. This region’s 2023-2026 Draft TIP is now open for Public Comment. You can find it at lvpc.org/tip. You can review it and send a comment, or better yet, join us during one of our public engagements, also listed at that link. That engagement includes virtual public hearings May 11, 17 and 18, and an in-person meeting at Northampton Community College Fowler Center at 7 p.m. May 19.
We’ll also be talking about it at
9:30 a.m., May 16 on LaMega Spanish language radio at 101.7FM. Or you can catch our last WDIY, National Public Radio Show, Plan Lehigh
Valley — which aired at 6:30 p.m.,
May 2 — streaming at wdiy.org/show/ plan-lehigh-valley. We spent an entire hour, including a 30-minute live call-in show, on the TIP.
There’s plenty to cover. The Draft TIP — it won’t become final until the public weighs in and the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study approves it in June — invests nearly a half-billion dollars on 118 projects that stretch into every corner of the Lehigh Valley. Everyone will notice big investments such as $133 million to operate the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority’s (LANTA) transit system, $68 million to rebuild the Route 309 and Tilghman Street interchange, $21 million to begin rehabilitating the Hill to Hill Bridge in Bethlehem, and several projects along Route 22. But it also makes smaller investments for trails, intersections, roads and bridges across the region. And the IIJA helped with that, enabling us to do some projects a few years sooner, and adding line items to put more money into maintaining
2018 at 328 S. New St. in south Bethlehem. Another area Takkii Ramen operates in Quakertown’s Trolley Barn Public Market.
Popular Rakkii Ramen dishes, including noodle-wrapped shrimp, spicy miso ramen and a sukiyaki rice bowl, carried over to Takkii Ramen. However, much of the new brand’s menu is comprised of fresh creations, including fried chicken ramen and Takkii beef ramen.
“We’re also planning to have at least two or three robots at the Easton location,” Lu said. “The robots will be able to take you to the table and deliver your food like a food runner. We already have them in Doylestown, and they work well.”
The 4-foot-tall robots, which have an auto-charging function, feature artificial intelligence voice interaction that allows them to greet and interact with customers; autonomous path planning that allow them to lead customers to their tables in the best possible route; intelligent trays that can tell when a delivery has been completed; and 3-D sensors that help detect obstacles. Info: takkiiramen.com.
From spicy miso ramen to sweet strawberry milkshakes, The Canalside Cup, a longstanding walk-up restaurant at 1610 S. Delaware Drive in Williams Township, on Thursday announced that it will be opening for its 18th season after all. Its first day of business for the season will be Friday, May 13.
In March, Deb Kozik, the stand’s owner of 17 years, announced that The Canalside Cup was in transition as she sought to sell the business. However, she recently decided to continue operating the eatery, known for its more than 50 varieties of soft-serve ice cream, including crème de menthe, maplenut, pistachio and teaberry, as well as savory selections such as burgers and gyros.
“... It’s been a roller coaster ride that has taken me to make this decision with prayers being answered, and many good wishes that has brought me full circle,” Kozik wrote on the business’ Facebook page. Info: facebook.com/ TheCanalsideCup.
A final bit of good news for Easton area foodies: Tony’s Pizza and Restaurant, which operated for about 15 years at 200 Main St. in Tatamy, on Monday opened at its new, larger space at 3417 Sullivan Trail in Forks Township.
The Sullivan Street space previously housed DeLorenzo’s Italian Restaurant, which closed in 2019.
Tony’s new location, about a mile east of its original spot, accommodates more than 100 customers, about double its previous seating capacity, owner Tony Burriesci said. Other upgrades include new furniture; a freshly painted deck; and an expanded kitchen, serving more dinner specials on weekends.
The Italian eatery’s new location also features a bar, serving beer and wine with cocktails coming soon, Burriesci said. Info: 610-438-5517.
Odds and ends
Staying on the topic of Italian food, Molinari’s, known for its premise-made pasta and other authentic Italian cuisine, is set to reopen with some changes Thursday at 322 E. Third St. in south Bethlehem, according to the business’ website. The restaurant has been temporarily closed since November due to staffing issues.
Moving forward, there will be two ticketed seatings — one at 5 p.m. and another at 7:30 p.m. — Thursday through Saturday, the restaurant noted.
Each seating will accommodate a maximum of 30 guests, with the early seating having a maximum duration of 2 hours in order to give staff enough time to prepare for the next seating.
The ticket price covers the meal only [additional menu items may be available]. Drinks, tax and gratuity are extra.
“Also we are leaning even deeper into our Italian roots,” the restaurant announced. “The menu will consist of three to five courses. Each course will have two choices. We will do our best to communicate the menus ahead of time. Remember, in most of Italy you eat what nonna made that day.”
Molinari’s 3.5-course opening dinner, $45, will feature a third course of raviolo (honey pepper ricotta, arugula, garlic, spec and crème reduction) or linguine pesto (basil pestu, burrata, sun-dried tomatoes and spiced nut crumble). Add-ons of pork tenderloin or baked Prince Edward Island mussels, $10 each, also will be available.
“For those of you who want a bit more spontaneity, then you will want to visit on a Monday,” the restaurant announced. “Street Food Mondays will feature the best of Italian street food. Walk ins only. No published menus. You will have to visit to find out what is being served that day.”
Molinari’s, occupying a 3,000square foot space at Third and Polk streets, was opened in late 2011 by owner Fran Molinari. Info: molinarimangia.com.
On Bethlehem’s North Side, Colombian Mex Restaurant, offering traditional Colombian cuisine, opened April 29 at 107 E. Union Blvd., co-owner Rose Hernandez said. The renovated space previously housed Viva Cafe, which closed last year.
The 14-seat Colombian Mex Restaurant, operated by Hernandez and her husband, Manuel Espinoza, serves chicken specialties such as breaded chicken and chicken with rice; seafood dishes such as red snapper, shrimp in garlic sauce and seafood casserole; and meat options such as carne asada, churrasco, grilled pork chops and bandeja tipica (grilled beef, pork skin, egg, corn cake, sweet plantain, rice, beans, avocado and sausage).
A variety of breakfast platters, $6.50-$12.25, include a calentado completo (mixed rice and beans with scrambled eggs, sausage, corn cake and steak).
“Our beef and chicken empanadas have been very popular,” Espinoza said. “People are also really loving our arepa con queso, which are corn cakes with cheese, and our bandeja tipica plate, which is a combination platter of rice, beans, chicharron, avocado and more.” Info: 610-419-1253.
I’ll finish with an Allentown walk-up eatery that is closed until further notice following the death of its owner.
Bacon Bagels and 4th Street Tacos, serving bagels, Mexican favorites and more at 239 N. Fourth St., made the announcement on the business’ Facebook page.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our owner Leo Martin,” the post reads. “We thank you so much for the endless support during this difficult time of heartache and pain. The family really appreciates all your kind words.”
Martin, age 40, suffered an unexpected tragic death at his place of business on the evening of April 27, according to his obituary.