Jim Thorpe Borough’s decision to prohibit left turns out of the Carbon County parking lot on to Route 209 on weekends has, according to council and the police department, worked wonders for traffic flow.

While the move helped reduce congestion in one of downtown Jim Thorpe’s busiest areas, it routed vehicles in the opposite direction of Lehighton Borough, prompting concerns from members of the Lehighton Downtown Partnership, the group tasked with promoting its businesses.

Jim Thorpe Mayor Michael Sofranko said the entities concerned are progressing toward solutions following a recent Zoom meeting on the topic.

“We got everyone together and I think Lehighton understands our concerns and we understand where they are coming from,” Sofranko said. “While blocking the left turn has been working as it was intended to, people are getting confused and they’re doing some pretty interesting things to try and get turned around to go back in the other direction. The Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau has agreed to purchase signs that will help direct people on how to go up over the Route 903 bridge and then come back into town toward Lehighton.”

For years, motorists leaving the county lot would pay upon departure. Add to that trying to turn left in the midst of heavy traffic coming from the Nesquehoning side of Route 209 and backups were a common sight. Both issues have now been taken care of as the county has added parking kiosks and left turns out of the lot are not allowed.

“Disallowing left turns has received high praise from just about everyone,” Council President Greg Strubinger said.

“The success of that move is pretty much self-explanatory if you sit down there on the weekend and look at the difference.”

Borough officials said employees and management of the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad, who have a front-row seat, have also lauded the results of the change.

“Anything that improves the flow down there is great in my book,” said Councilman Jay Miller.

The new signs will direct motorists looking to go back toward Lehighton to turn right out of the county lot, turn right to go across the Route 903 bridge, and turn right on the one-way West Front Street before circling around to West Second Street, which will take them back to Route 903, where they can re-cross the bridge and turn back on Route 209.

“I think the signs will be good because people have been trying to circumvent that route by making a U-turn in the old Subway lot next to the post office,” Sofranko said. “And if you’re from out of the area, you may not know where to go or how to get back on track so you panic. These signs will help direct them to the proper way to do it.”

When the signs are installed, Sofranko said, they will be maroon and gray to keep with a similar style for the others that direct visitors to attractions in the area.