The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation wants to see a revised plan on a proposed traffic signal near the new Lehighton school.

Borough Manager Nicole Beckett said at Monday's council meeting that borough officials met with PennDOT earlier in the day over the proposed traffic signal at Ninth and Bridge streets.Beckett said that PennDOT will ask the district to revise the plan on South Ninth Street in an attempt to create additional parking from the original design.She said the borough is working with the district to continue moving forward with the project while representing the concerns of the business owners and residents.Beckett said they discussed evaluating additional parking on Bridge Street, and that with the new signal and crosswalks, the intersection will be improved for safety to pedestrians.The next step is to review the revised plans and approve the plan, she said.Councilman Scott Rehrig praised Beckett's effort.Kim DePue, owner of Kim DePue Insurance Agency at 499 S. Ninth St., said he was thankful for their efforts and continued support.Last month, council authorized Beckett to meet with PennDOT officials to review the details of the proposed traffic signal.A pair of business owners told council at that time they don't want to lose their parking spaces as a result of the proposed traffic signal.Beckett said she had spoken with PennDOT, which stated at that time the design in place was the safest.Based on the requests from the property owners, Lehighton Area School District had requested providing a shadow transition area instead of the southbound left-hand turning lane, Beckett said.However,PennDOT stated it is not in a position to eliminate the southbound left-turn lane, but are willing to look at a reduced storage lane.The proposed design, with the southbound left-hand turning lane, is the safest, according to PennDOT.There was a suggestion to consider replacing parking on the 1000 block of Bridge Street, said Beckett, who added the intersection would have signals, therefore creating a safe pedestrian crossing at Ninth and Bridge.School district officials have approved $33 million for the construction of a K-5 elementary center on the district's main campus.The district would be responsible for the construction of the traffic light and cost of construction, while the borough would be responsible for the maintenance of the light and take ownership once constructed.The four corners of the intersection would be handicapped accessible, officials said.In January, council agreed to have its solicitor, Jim Nanovic, draft an ordinance for a "right-turn only" restriction on Ninth Street from Union Street to improve safety at an intersection used by students to leave the high school campus.But Beckett said the ordinance has been put on hold.Borough Police Chief Brian Biechy said some form of traffic control is needed.Beckett said delineators have been installed to direct traffic to the right, along with signs posted for right turns only.There is only one exit from the district due to construction of the new elementary center, creating even more of a concern, she said.