Forks Traffic Signal Coming, Finally

residents may finally get that Christmas present they've wanted for about eight years.

At the recent Board of Supervisors meeting, Township Engineer Scott Muller offered an update on a new traffic light at Meco Road and

"We're optimistic that it can be started before winter," Muller said. "But it won’t be paved before the end of winter. At this point, we still don’t know have an answer until the utilities come and move the poles."

Township Manager Richard Schnaedter gave a further update Thursday, saying he believed theshould be installed by the end of the year with paving possibly completed sometime in the spring.

Residents have complained for years about the need for a traffic light at the busy intersection. 

So they should be able to wait a little longer.

"This has been going on for well over eight years," Schnaedter said.

Township officials at prior supervisors meetings have expressed hopefulness and frustration about the traffic light coming to fruition.

“This has been a long time coming,” said Supervisor Erik Chuss.

“This is probably the single most important traffic signal in town,” said Supervisor C. David Howell.

Schnaedter echoed those sentiments Thursday.

He said there have been a lot of legal complications, with a few residents concerned about the ramifications that intersection expansion would have on their driveways.

Schnaedter also said that the made numerous design and right-of-way changes due to changes in agency standards.

Supervisors had hired Lehigh Valley Site Contractors of Easton to place the light at the intersection. Lehigh Valley Site Contractors will do the work for $840,000.

Asked if there was light at the end of this traffic light, Schnaedter added: "I thought so two years ago. I'm guardedly optimistic."