Much to the chagrin of its businesses, weekend traffic has taken a severe downturn in downtown Lehighton.

Bambi Elsasser, Lehighton Main Street Manager, informed borough council Monday of the disparity in traffic.

“Weekend traffic has really diminished on First Street,” Elsasser said. “It’s become a big, major concern.”

Elsasser told council the problem is that tourists are being directed to make a right-hand turn when they leave the Carbon County lot in Jim Thorpe.

“Businesses need our help,” she said. “Traffic is down 60-70% on First Street.”

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said the county lot should accommodate not only Lehighton, but all the towns in the county.

“We don’t want to see any municipality in Carbon County hurt,” Abelovsky said.

At the request of Elsasser, council agreed to place a Discover Lehighton banner at the pavilion at the trailhead.

After the meeting, Elsasser expounded on the matter.

“Their GPSs are taking them to the Maury Road; they’re not going to come into town at that point,” she said. We kind of pick up the people that are leaving Jim Thorpe normally and are looking for a place to eat or just something to do as they are leaving Jim Thorpe.

“They’ll see it on their way up to Jim Thorpe, but everybody’s going to just jump on the turnpike when they’re that close. They’re not going to come back.”

Elsasser said the matter began in the spring, and “now as the summer months have come upon us, tourist season has become noticeably different.”

“This is our whole county that this is affecting; not even just us,” she said. “The northern towns as well are being affected by this.”