ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Mayor Matt Tuerk and city officials unveiled Allentown’s Safe Streets for all Safety Action Plan on Wednesday, aiming to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the city by 2030.
The announcement took place on South Jefferson Street, one of the city’s high-injury corridors targeted for improvements under the plan.
“Today, we’re not just imagining safer streets, we’re building them,” said Tuerk. “This plan didn’t start a year ago on Hanover Avenue. It started with broken hearts.”
Between 2019 and 2023, 284 people in Allentown were victims of high-impact crashes resulting in fatalities or serious injuries, according to Public Works Director Mark Shahda.
The Safety Action Plan identifies physical improvements proven to reduce crashes, including brighter crosswalk lighting, curb extensions, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons.
The city has established a high-injury network where just 6% of roadway miles account for nearly half of severe crashes.
“By focusing our efforts on high-risk areas, we can make the greatest impact in preventing future accidents,” Shahda said.
Community feedback shaped the plan’s development, with nearly 1,500 survey responses identifying speeding as the top safety concern.
Other concerns included the lack of safe walking and biking infrastructure.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll emphasized the state’s commitment to partnering with Allentown on the initiative.
“It really is in our common interest, whether you’re driving an F-150 or whether you ride a bicycle to be able to get where you need to go safely,” Carroll said. “Penn DOT will be your partner.”
The plan has already brought state and federal investment to the city, including a $384,000 demonstration grant for traffic calming and safety demonstration projects.
The city recently received a $1.9 million investment to improve South Jefferson Street.
Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca highlighted enforcement efforts, noting that since January 1, 2025, the traffic unit has conducted 384 vehicle stops and issued 203 citations and 233 warnings.
He called for legislative support for municipal police departments to use radar and implement automatic red light cameras.
“Driving in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a privilege. It is not a right,” Roca said, noting that one driver was recently clocked at 92 mph in a 35 mph zone on South Jefferson Street.
Parks and Recreation Director Mandy Tolino discussed trail improvements, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Trail, which will connect downtown to Lehigh Parkway.
The first phase will be constructed later this year with $1.4 million in state funding.
Residents can learn more about the plan at an open house at City Hall Council Chambers on April 15 at 5:30 p.m.
