EASTON, Pa. — Northampton County officials hope to make one roadway less welcoming for large trucks.
Northampton County Council last week voted to hand off the right-of-way to the intersection of East Bullshead Road and Willowbrook Road to Allen Township.
Once the land is officially Allen's, the township will begin a project to deter truck drivers from proceeding toward a bridge on E Bullshead Road with a 12-foot clearance.
Truckers often ignore signs declaring that no trucks are allowed on the road and warning of low clearance. As a result, large trucks repeatedly have hit the overpassing bridge.
Allen Township officials
According to township officials, truckers often ignore signs declaring that no trucks are allowed on E Bullshead Road and warning of low clearance ahead.
As a result, large trucks repeatedly have hit the overpassing bridge, more than a half-mile away and located between Willowbrook Road and Weaversville Road.
County Council voted unanimously to sell the right-of-way to Allen Township for $1. In return, the county hopes to save money on repairs to its oft-struck pedestrian bridge, which is part of the Nor-Bath Trail.
The township plans to install a median on E Bullshead Road.
As a result, large trucks with a 53-foot trailer could not make the turn without driving over the median, according to alternate township engineer Stan Wojciechowski.
Shorter vehicles, such as East Allen Fire Department’s 43-foot fire trucks, should be able to make the turn without issue, Wojciechowski said.
Adding the median will cost about $70,000, according to estimates from late 2023.