PennDOT Has Imposed 'Havoc' on Hellertown [Letter]

Note: The following letter is addressed to Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett. A copy of the letter was shared by its author with Hellertown-Lower Saucon Patch.

Governor Corbett: 

I am requesting that your office investigate the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's actions as they relate to the project of widening of Route 412 in Hellertown/Bethlehem. 

I have never in my life seen such a traffic debacle that was done on purpose. Bad weather, serious accidents—I can understand. But this is beyond belief. I refuse to question the "planning" because whatever was done has nothing to do with the definition of "planning."

We are in a severe crisis of public safety. We have been invaded and occupied by barricades and heavy equipment. It appears as if the project was undertaken as if it were happening in a barren and unoccupied area instead of a place where people live, go to work and go to school. Or, instead of a place where a major interstate highway passes through and dumps thousands and thousands of cars on their way to casinos, shopping, universities and sporting events. 

It takes me 20 minutes to travel the 500 feet from High Street and Route 412 to get onto Route 78 East for my daily commute to work. It used to take me only 15 minutes for my entire commute. 

What is truly appalling and frightening in this situation is that this is expected to continue for an entire year. I insist that someone from your office take the time to get to the area and take a look at the havoc that PennDOT has imposed on our community.

Christine Widgren

Hellertown