BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The city of Bethlehem is moving forward with plans to transform Linden Street into a two-way corridor after receiving $1.8 million in state funding — a long-anticipated move that city leaders said they believe will calm traffic, support small businesses and reshape how people move through the neighborhood.
The announcement came during a July 21 press conference hosted by Mayor J. William Reynolds, who was joined by representatives from the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, County of Northampton and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The group celebrated a combined $3.7 million in infrastructure grants awarded to Bethlehem for pedestrian- and bike-friendly improvements.
Linden Street
“The one-way traffic on Linden Street was put in place to move workers to and from Bethlehem Steel,” Reynolds said. “That traffic pattern hasn’t made sense in decades — it’s time for a safer, more connected and more community-friendly approach to how we use this space.”
The Linden Street conversion, which will span from Fairview to East Church Street, is expected to be completed in spring 2026. It’s part of Bethlehem’s larger Complete Streets and bike mobility plans, which aim to reimagine the city’s streets as shared public spaces rather than fast-moving car corridors.
Bethlehem Public Works Director Michael Alkhal said the switch to two-way traffic will naturally slow cars and make the street safer for everyone, especially pedestrians.
“This two-way conversion will lead to a more accessible and safer corridor, as well as provide traffic calming benefits,” Alkhal said during the event. “That makes it a better space for small businesses and people who live along this block.”
Reynolds emphasized the role of partnerships in making the project possible.
“Collaboration is the key to our success. These projects come together because people in the Lehigh Valley and Bethlehem get it right about how to come together in a nonpartisan way to do good things,” Reynolds said.
South Bethlehem Greenway, Broad Street redesign
Reynolds also highlighted additional state investments aimed at improving pedestrian and bike infrastructure throughout the city. He announced that Bethlehem will receive $500,000 to complete the final phase of the South Bethlehem Greenway, which will connect the trail to the Saucon Rail Trail in Hellertown — a project that has been in the works for more than a decade. Construction on that link is expected to wrap in 2026.
Another $1.4 million in state funds will go toward the redesign of Broad Street, making the busy corridor safer and more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists and public transit users. Construction on that project is set to begin in 2026.
“We’re changing the way people are able to move in our city,” Reynolds said. “We’re investing in safety, in connectivity and in the idea that streets belong to everyone — not just drivers.”
Construction on the Linden Street conversion will begin after the design phase is finalized later this year. City officials expect minimal disruption during the transition and plan to work closely with local businesses to keep the area accessible throughout the process.
