Suggested safety improvements have been recommended for Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard in Lehighton.

Borough council on Monday heard a presentation on the waterfront traffic study from Bryan Smith, of Barry Isett & Associates.

Smith said that traffic studies were taken twice in July along Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard to identify and address physical barriers, which make the connection between the waterfront area and the downtown un-walkable.

The primary roads, pedestrian ways and points of intersection were studied through mapping. In November, council approved proceeding with the study to be conducted in the summer months in the amount of $15,500.

Smith said that through the study, crash data was reviewed from 2012 to present that determined there were 14 crashes involving pedestrians struck by vehicles, 10 of which occurred with vehicles in the left-turning lane.

He said recommendations are for a pedestrian walkway on Lehigh Drive along with traffic calming measures on Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard; eliminating the full-length, left-turn lane on Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard, and the addition of two pedestrian crosswalks. The short-term recommendation is completed through line painting, while the long-term recommendation is for landscaped curb extensions.

Smith gave two estimates, one for $135,000, which would be for traffic calming and pedestrian improvements, including pavement markings, ADA ramps, and crosswalks; and the other for $696,000, which would be for the landscaped curb extensions, line painting, pedestrian improvements, signage and pedestrian beacons.

It was stated that the borough owns and is responsible for Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard.

After the meeting, borough Manager Nicole Beckett said the borough will look for grant funding to assist with funding the recommendations.

“Council will be reviewing the waterfront traffic study to determine our next actions,” Beckett said. “If interested in proceeding, we will seek grants to assist with the upgrades.”