A number of state roads in Lehigh and Northampton counties are set for repairs this spring.
Short-term pain and long-term gain are in store for a number of Lehigh and Northampton county roads set for repair and resurfacing this spring, Gov. Tom Wolf's administration announced.
The projects total $6.4 million in Allentown, Bethlehem, Bath, Nazareth, Tatamy and Forks and Upper Nazareth townships.
The first two projects, in Bath and in Nazareth east to Forks Township, got underway April 10, and the work in the two cities is set to start this coming week.
Each project includes milling off the existing road surface and repaving it with new asphalt that aims to seal the roads and provide motorists with a smoother riding surface. The work also replaces existing curb ramps with new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps.
Here is a look at each of the projects:
Northampton County state roads
Where: Walnut Street/Tatamy Road/Main Street/Uhler Road between South Broad Street in Nazareth east through Upper Nazareth Township and Tatamy to Sullivan Trail in Forks Township -- and Main Street between Chestnut Street in Bath and the Upper Nazareth Township line.
How many cars affected: Walnut Street to Uhler Road has an average daily traffic volume that varies between 5,594 and 7,198 vehicles, and Main Street has an average daily traffic volume that varies between 6,740 and 8,473 vehicles.
When: Work began April 10 and is expected to be complete in June. Motorists should be alert for lane restrictions 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Who: Intercounty Paving Associates LLC, of Hackettstown, is the general contractor on the $1,073,000 project, which is financed with 100 percent state funds from Act 89, Pennsylvania's Transportation Plan.
Quote: "These two arterial highways are important to these communities, and Act 89 has provided critical funding that allows PennDOT to work on projects like this that otherwise may not have been brought to fruition," Wolf said in a statement.
Lower Mount Bethel road closed for 2 months (MAP)
Union Boulevard in Allentown and West Union Boulevard in Bethlehem
Where: From the Lehigh River in Allentown to the area of Route 378 in Bethlehem.
How many cards affected: This stretch has an average daily traffic volume that varies between 8,284 and 17,398 vehicles.
When: Work is scheduled to begin April 17 and wrap up in October. Motorists should be alert for lane restrictions 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays.
Who: New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. Inc. of New Enterprise, Pa., is the general contractor on the $3,633,798 project, which is financed with 100 percent state funds from Act 89, Pennsylvania's Transportation Plan.
Quote: "This busy east-west corridor between Allentown and Bethlehem is used by thousands of motorists each day, and will soon be resurfaced due to Act 89," Wolf said in a statement.
Tilghman Street in Allentown
Where: Between North 10th and Front streets.
How many cars affected: This section of Tilghman Street has an average daily traffic volume that varies between 10,615 and 12,347 vehicles.
When: Work is set to begin April 17 and be complete in July. Motorists should be alert for lane restrictions 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays.
Who: J.D. Eckman Inc., of Atglen, Pa., is the general contractor on the $1,846,363 project, which is financed with 100 percent state funds.
Quote: "Tilghman Street is used by thousands of motorists each day, so I'm pleased that it will be resurfaced for better traveling conditions for the public," Wolf said in a statement.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation invites motorists to learn more about Act 89 projects and its four- and 12-year plans at projects.penndot.gov.
Motorists can check real-time traffic conditions by visiting 511PA.com; 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1 or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
Follow regional PennDOT information on Twitter at twitter.com/511PAAllentown or on Facebook at facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation.
Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.