West Broad Street to receive major safety upgrades, including intersection improvements, protected bike lanes, and improved public transportation infrastructure
Casey fought to secure funding from Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program, created by the infrastructure law
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-PA-7) announced $9.9 million in federal funding for Bethlehem to increase safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers in one of the city’s busiest corridors. West Broad Street will receive safety upgrades, including intersection improvements, protected bikes lanes, and better public transportation infrastructure. There are seven schools near the Broad Street corridor and these improvements are in part intended to help improve safety for the students who utilize these pedestrian crossings.
“Because of the infrastructure law, we are building a Pennsylvania which is safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. Investments that help our students get to and from school safely is a win for our communities,” said Senator Casey. “I was proud to advocate for this funding to make key safety improvements along West Broad Street, one of the busiest corridors in the Lehigh Valley.”
“The bottom line is that we are facing a street safety crisis in America — and in Pennsylvania. The thousands of lives we lose due to unsafe streets is unacceptable, and it’s long past time we in Washington do something about it,” said Senator Fetterman. “This funding will provide the city of Bethlehem with the resources they need to make streets safer for everyone on the roads."
“This critical grant funding will improve Bethlehem’s infrastructure and make our roads and streets safer places for everyone—whether you’re a pedestrian, driver, or cyclist,” said Congresswoman Susan Wild. “I twice supported the City of Bethlehem’s application for this key funding to transform the West Broad Street corridor, and I will continue pushing to bring home federal investments to build safer communities in every part of PA-07.”
“Transformative. That is what this support from the Biden Administration will mean for our city,” said Mayor J. William Reynolds. “The $10 million Safe Streets For All grant will make our community safer and more sustainable for generations. Current and future residents of Bethlehem cannot say thank you enough to President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg for the support. We also have to thank Senator Casey and Congresswoman Wild for passing the infrastructure bill that makes this all possible. We are transforming one of the busiest corridors in our community from a street built for cars into a street built for people. A historic day for Bethlehem.”
This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). These proposals are in line with both Bethlehem’s “Vision Zero” plan and the Broad Street Active Transportation Plan. Senator Casey and Congresswoman Wild supported the City’s application for this grant funding.
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