Letter to the Editor: Road Widening Will Increase Truck Traffic, Cost Taxpayers

To the residents of Lower Macungie Township:

The Spring Creek Properties (Jaindl) Subdivision will require Rt. 100 to be widened to five lanes, and the new Sauerkraut Lane extension to four lanes at its intersection with Rt. 100.

The widening will require the township to take property from the houses along Route 100. Furthermore, more than 1,000 additional tractor trailers and car are predicted to be traveling on Route 100 during rush hour.

Do you think this will lower property values along the Route 100 corridor?

Our township engineer has warned that all four access roads into Ancient Oaks West, (Aster, Wisteria, Foxglove and Columbine), will have limited access or traffic lights when Rt. 100 is widened and the Sauerkraut extension is built. Add to this 'recipe for disaster' a major commercial strip being planned along Rt. 100 at the Romig Farm.

The township Board of Commissioners may vote to approve this subdivision at its May 3 meeting.

Please attend and ask the commissioners hold a special public hearing on this plan before they vote on it. There are far too many unanswered questions about the long-term impact of this plan including how much taxpayers will be on the hook for it.

You can view the plan online. All the detailed traffic notes can be seen on the township website under public notices. Click the link and bring up page 12 A. Scroll to the right to find the chart of traffic improvements.

The Route 100 widening and Sauerkraut Lane extension are not included under those road improvements to be paid for by the developer. This begs the question, who will pay for this? The taxpayers? This is just one of many questions that need to be answered. 

Additionally, we must be shown projections that this giant development will produce enough tax revenue to cover costs of future road maintenance and public services like fire protection. 

It's time our elected officials advocate for us instead of the interests of land developers. Please attend the May 3 meeting and speak your mind.

Signed,

Friends for the Protection of Lower Macungie Township Steering Committee

Ron Beitler

Scott Bieber

Percy Dougherty

Jane Fretz

Bob Rust

Mark Spengler

Rob Hamill

Anthony Rodale

Ann Friedenheim

Kathryn Dixon

Sandy Beldon