Temporary Changes Planned at '5-Points Intersection'

Although some borough council members expressed uncertainty about permanently changing what Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp has labeled an "intersection of concern," on April 2 council unanimously approved the chief's recommendation that several traffic pattern changes be implemented at the intersection on a temporary basis.

One of the most noticeable changes will be the installation of a barricade near the eastern tip of the "island" that surrounds .

The barricade, Shupp explained, will require motorists to turn left toward Penn Street, effectively bringing their vehicles perpendicular with the roadway, and requiring them to come to a complete stop.

According to Shupp, the current intersection design--which is antiquated--allows motorists to gradually edge eastbound on Durham as they attempt to look west down Penn Street toward oncoming traffic.

Based upon recommendations by traffic engineers from Barry Isett and Associates, Shupp also recommended the trial use of stop signs at the intersection of Durham Street and Delaware Avenue, which is just to the east of where the barricade will be installed.

Engineer Bryan Smith, of BIA, said his firm's traffic engineers recently studied the complex intersection and are recommending that the Durham-Delaware portion of it be made a four-way stop on a permanent basis.

If a permanent "button-hook" were constructed along the east side of Durham Street, in between the tip of the "island" and the Durham-Delaware intersection, "a little bit of parking (would be) lost right at where would be the termination of Durham," Smith told council.

Councilwoman Gail Nolf expressed frustration over the fact that the intersection must now be changed, because safety concerns have been raised.

"I can't vote against (the changes), but I still want to understand it better," she said, adding that she plans to revisit the intersection to study the traffic flow.

Residents who live in the area have previously voiced opposition to installing stop signs at Delaware and Durham, Nolf also pointed out.

Borough resident Don Werkheiser also expressed skepticism about the proposal to install a four-way stop, and said he fears it will lead to traffic back-ups on Durham Street, particularly after events take place at .

However, Smith argued that because what is proposed is "a simple four-way stop," the impact on traffic flow will be minimal.

Council vice president John Bate said he is wary of taking away any parking in the borough.

"I'll take away commercial traffic on that road before I take away parking," he said.

However, like Nolf, Bate also said he feels his hands are tied, now that concerns about the intersection have been raised.

"The first time there's an accident (at the intersection), we're going to get accused of not doing anything," he said.

After Shupp recommended that the proposed changes be tested over a 30-day period, with possible adjustments to follow, council unanimously approved a motion authorizing him to install a temporary barricade and four-way stop at the intersection.

"It's not an enforcement thing," Shupp also stated.

Following the meeting, he said he expects the temporary measures to be in place the week after Easter.

Questions about the safety of the intersection were , although .