Hungry? Schnecksville Diner to Stay Open During 309 Project

Schnecksville-area residents can count on a place to grab some grub during the $5 million Route 309/Sand Spring Road construction project, which has been under way for about a month.

The Schnecksville Diner will remain open throughout the road work, according to a sign in front of the eatery.

Construction wil last until November.

Nine phases of work will take place and project milestones will be developed with consideration to the school calendars of Lehigh Carbon Community College, the Parkland School District and the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit. Sand Spring Road will not be closed until the Parkland School District calendar ends in mid-June.

The project includes the following improvements:

• Complete roadway reconstruction of Route 309, Sand Spring Road, Orchard Road and Education Park Drive.

• Exclusive turn lanes for all four approaches to the Route 309/Sand Spring Road intersection with associated widening.

• The lengthening and widening of the northbound left turn lane of Education Drive.

• A shift alignment of Sand Spring and Orchard Roads to the south, in order to minimize impacts to the Schnecksville Historic District.

• A new traffic signal at the Education Park Drive entrance.

• A revised traffic signal at the Route 309/Sand Spring Road.

• The replacement of existing sidewalks and construction of new sidewalks.

• Drainage improvements.

• Signage and safety feature improvements.

Traffic impacts during construction will include:

• Route 309 open to one lane of traffic in each direction at all times, except for short-term night lane closures. Night lane closures can fall between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

• Education Park Drive, Sand Spring Road and Orchard Road will be closed and detoured during various stages of construction.

• Lerch said access to all properties, driveways and alleys, including U.S. Postal Service, wil be maintained at all times.

The construction phases will kick into high gear in mid-June with the reconstruction of Education Park Drive northbound 309 left turn lane into Education Park Drive. The reconstruction of Sand Spring Road and east side of 309 north will also take place through mid-July.

Final milling and paving of the entire project is scheduled for late October. There will be night travel reductions to a single lane during this time period.