Lehighton borough officials on Monday authorized borough Manager Nicole Beckett to meet with state Department of Transportation officials to iron out the logistics of a proposed traffic signal in the area of a new school.

Two business owners told council last month they don't want to lose their parking spaces as a result of the proposed traffic signal at Ninth and Bridge streets.Kim DePue, owner of Kim DePue Insurance Agency at 499 S. Ninth St., said Monday he hopes the businesses have the continued support of council with regard to parking for businesses and homes.Terry Blocker, owner of Blocker Enterprises Inc., at 497 S. Ninth St., agreed."We are just hoping everything possible is done," Blocker said. "We don't want to lose any parking, and (want to) retain as much as possible."Blocker added, "I don't think it's fair to businesses and residents.""We were there and did our duty," he said. "I don't feel we, as taxpayers and businesses, should lose what we already have."Beckett said she has spoken with PennDOT, which stated the design in place was the safest.Proposed traffic flowBased on the requests from the property owners on South Ninth Street, Lehighton Area School District had requested providing a shadow transition area instead of the southbound left-hand turning lane, Beckett said.However, she said 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, Beckett said.There was a suggestion to consider replacing parking on the 1000 block of Bridge Street, said Beckett, who added the intersection would be signalized, therefore creating a safe pedestrian crossing at Ninth and Bridge.Councilman Scott Rehrig said council should look at all avenues, and is willing to take the next step.Blocker stressed that he wants his customers to be able to come to his business.Rehrig said that while he agrees with him, ultimately the council doesn't have the final say."I can assure you our borough manager has been working very diligently," Rehrig said. "We will do everything in our power as borough council to help you."The lightSchool 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.