Lehighton plans to take the next step to lower the speed limit on Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard.

Borough council on a 6-0 vote Monday authorized borough Manager Dane DeWire to contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to find out the steps to reduce the speed limit along the bustling road.

A new traffic pattern has been in place for several weeks along the stretch of roadway as part of the Traffic Calming Project geared toward traffic and pedestrian improvements along the boulevard.

During construction hours, traffic is limited to one lane for both through-traffic and turns from the lane-split at the south end to Rite Aid at the north end.

Traffic control is in place at South Main Lane, North Main Lane, and Lehigh Drive during active construction, with construction continuing daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. until mid-November.

DeWire noted on Monday that a traffic study previously conducted suggested the speed limit be lowered.

“Even with construction going on, traffic isn’t necessarily calmed,” DeWire said.

DeWire said the borough could have one of its police officers perform another speed study.

Council President Grant Hunsicker said he doesn’t believe that will make a difference.

“Unless you have police down there, it doesn’t matter what speed you have it,” Hunsicker said. “They’re still going to fly.”

Councilwoman Lisa Perry said she believes the speed limit should be down to 25 mph.

Several members of council said they agreed with Perry.

“It’s kind of contradictory to do a traffic calming project and not calm the speed,” Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said.

Last month, DeWire said, “The ultimate goal of the project and the long-term plan for the Boulevard is to provide a gateway between the popular amenities along the D&L trail and our downtown.”

DeWire said the project scope includes the removal of four sections of turning lane, as these portions will be replaced with depressed curbs and decorative brick pavers; the installation of three ADA-compliant brick paver crosswalks at the intersection of N. Main Lane; and the installation of a 6-foot-wide asphalt path connecting the D&L Trailhead Pavilion to the Lehighton Spur closer to the Weissport Bridge.

A traffic study was conducted by Lehighton Police in July. DeWire previously said the borough could lower the 40 mph speed limit based on the study.

Barry Isett & Associates has recommended reducing the speed limit to 25 mph.

“New crosswalks will provide a safer way for pedestrians to travel between the growing riverfront and downtown areas. The new asphalt path will provide a safer alternative to D&L trail-goers who have previously been required to share Lehigh Drive with motorists on very busy weekends along the river,” DeWire previously said,

In August, borough council on a unanimous measure awarded Livengood Excavators the Waterfront Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming Improvement Project for $690,092.

The project will be funded through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The borough has received $480,000 toward the project - $250,000 through the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program that was received in December 2021, and $230,000 from Local Share funds that were awarded in 2020.

In a related matter, council on Monday also approved payment request No. 1 for $192,856.27 to Livengood Excavators.

DeWire noted there was no designated line item in the general fund budget for these payments.

“Right now, we obviously don’t have money in our general fund to pay for it,” DeWire said. “We do have money to pay for it, (just not in the right bank account).”

Councilman Donald Rehrig said he didn’t foresee a problem with the payment due to the fact it’s going to be reimbursed.

Councilman Darryl Arner was absent.