City of Bethlehem announces major advancements in carbon reduction and multimodal transportation network
Funding Secured for Final Phase of South Bethlehem Greenway; Major Street Improvements on Broad and Linden Also Announced
Rep. Steve Samuelson July 23, 2025 | 2:26 PM
Bethlehem, PA – July 23, 2025 – At a press conference held today, City of Bethlehem officials joined
local, regional, and state partners to announce a series of transformative transportation and infrastructure
investments that will move the city forward in its commitment to carbon reduction and sustainable,
multimodal travel.
Speaking at a press conference alongside officials from the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study (LVTS),
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC), Northampton County, Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and other partners, Mayor J. William Reynolds announced
that the long-anticipated final phase of the South Bethlehem Greenway construction is fully funded and
will now move into the design and engineering stage, followed by construction in 2026. The complete
construction project will include the installation of a 12-foot-wide trail, which will be ADA-compliant
and include landscaping with native plants, benches, wayfinding signs, and trash receptacles.
LVTS presented the City with $500,000 through the federally funded and regulated Transportation
Alternative Set-Aside (TASA) Program, which covers a two-year period of 2025-26. The projects
selected go towards the implementation of FutureLV: The Regional Plan and Walk/RollLV: Active
Transportation Plan. “Through the TASA program, planners and project sponsors have the power to
reshape communities – creating connected networks that move people safely, and fill infrastructure gaps
while linking opportunities, services and people to each other,” said LVTS Coordinating Committee
Chair, Rick Molchany.
“Trails like the South Bethlehem Greenway boost quality of life and play a key role as car-free
connectors, helping build community and economic competitiveness,” Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources Deputy Secretary Claire Jantz said of awarding the City with $500,000 for
construction. “We thank the City of Bethlehem for prioritizing access to trails and being an example that
investing in trails is key in spurring revitalization efforts and economic growth in our communities.”
Northampton County Executive, Lamont G. McClure, presented the City with a $300,000 check via the
Livable Landscapes Grant and said, “The City of Bethlehem has been a leader in creating vibrant,
connected communities, and Northampton County is proud to be a partner in this effort. Projects like this
demonstrate that strategic funding through the Livable Landscapes Grant Program isn’t just about
building trails; we’re building healthier communities, enhancing access to green space, and investing in
the long-term well-being of our residents.”
This construction will close one of Pennsylvania’s Top 10 trail gaps and complete a final phase of the
South Bethlehem Greenway, which has been in development for over two decades. The project represents
continued and transformative investment in Bethlehem’s multimodal trail network. Once completed, the
South Bethlehem Greenway will provide continuous travel along a 13.7-mile corridor that serves
residents and visitors in Bethlehem, Hellertown, Coopersburg, and Quakertown, enhancing connectivity
between neighborhoods, parks, and downtown destinations.
"We are making significant progress on changing the way people move throughout our city. The City of
Bethlehem thanks LVTS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and DCNR, Northampton County, Senator
Boscola, and Representative Samuelson, for their incredible partnership in fully funding the construction
of the final phase of our Greenway. We have a healthier and more sustainable community because of their
unwavering support. The South Bethlehem Greenway is a community defining project for our city and it
wouldn't have happened without the support of all these partners. We can't say thank you enough,” said
Mayor J. William Reynolds.
The land to complete this project was purchased by the City from Norfolk Southern in late 2024 thanks to
funding from PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Highlands Conservation Act Grant), Northampton County Livable Landscapes Grant Program,
and Community Project Funding (CPF) directed by Congresswoman Susan Wild.
Rep. Steve Samuelson said, “The South Bethlehem Greenway has been a ribbon of connectivity
in our community for years, and just a mile south of where the Greenway reaches Saucon Park, the
Saucon Rail Trail and Upper Bucks Rail Trail extend from Hellertown all the way to Quakertown,” said
Samuelson. “Closing the trail gap and connecting these magnificent public spaces is happening thanks to the leadership of the City of Bethlehem with significant funding from the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study, along with state, federal and county partners. This trail will be celebrated by walkers, runners, and cyclists for decades to come.”
Funds to complete the final construction of the Greenway have been generously donated by:
- PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - $500,000
- Lehigh Valley Transportation Study - $500,000
- Northampton County via the Livable Landscapes Grant - $300,000
In addition to the Greenway announcement, the City unveiled two other significant transportation
initiatives:
Linden Street Conversion to Two-Way Traffic
After years of public feedback and planning, the City will move forward with the conversion of Linden
Street from one-way to two-way traffic between Church St. and Fairview St. connecting to the existing
two-way roadway. This will make the entirety of Linden St. between Elizabeth Avenue and the Fahy
Bridge two-way traffic. This change is designed to improve traffic flow and enhance safety for all road
users, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
LVTS presented the City with a check for $1.8mil. to support this important initiative.
Scott Slingerland, Executive Director of Coalition for Appropriate Transportation said, "In its current
configuration, Linden Street is a one-way racetrack, with two lanes for car drivers to go too fast and
jockey for position—at the expense of pedestrians and residents.”
Broad Street Multimodal Corridor Project
The Broad Street Multimodal Corridor Project is a cornerstone of Bethlehem’s Safe Streets and
Carbon Reduction Strategy. This ambitious project will redesign Broad Street to better accommodate
pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and drivers through safer intersections, upgraded crossings, and
modernized streetscapes.
As well as the nearly $10 million secured through the Safe Streets for All grant, LVTS also presented the
City with an additional $1.4 million to bring this project to fruition.
This event featured remarks from Representative Steve Samuelson, Scott Slingerland of the Coalition for
Appropriate Transportation (CAT), and funding presentations from Ryan Meyer (LVTS), Becky Bradley
(LVPC), Claire Jantz (DCNR), and Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure.
Mayor Reynolds concluded the press conference by reaffirming Bethlehem’s mission: To move people—
not just cars—through the city safely, sustainably, and equitably.