PA Environment Digest

With more than a hint of fall in the air, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary John Quigley helped Bethlehem officials symbolically start construction September 2 on a one-mile section of the South Bethlehem Greenway

“We are not only breaking ground today on this trail, but we are also taking a significant step toward making important connections and building community,” Secretary Quigley said. “This is an example of how government is supposed to work.”

DCNR provided more than $1 million in grant funding toward the completion of the trail, including $600,000 to acquire the abandoned rail line and $450,000 to develop the trail. In addition, DCNR provided $430,000 for Bethlehem’s premier destination skate park that opened in July, which is an integral part of the greenway.

“Communities that understand and embrace their natural resources are building their economies and their futures,” Secretary Quigley said.

Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan noted that partnership funding was the only way the project was going to become reality. The city has funded $1.5 million of the $6.3 million project.

In addition to the DCNR funds, the city received an $800,000 federal Transportation Enhancement grant for this project. Also, in May 2009, Bethlehem was one of 50 projects selected statewide PennDOT’s Smart Transportation project. The city received $1.64 million to showcase multi-modal and green transportation connections through a dense area, as well as the reuse of an abandoned railway.

“It’s not just road and bridges; it’s these enhancement projects that also spur economic development,” said Mike Rebert, PennDOT District 5 director.

The greenway has been in the planning process for several years, after the city purchased the old railbed from Norfolk Southern. The first completed three-quarters of a mile section of trail—funded primarily by the Sands Casino—was completed last October.

During this phase of work, approximately half a mile of trail construction from New St. to Lynn Ave. and six street crossing improvements will be done.

Lehigh University President Alice Gast commented on how she expected the trail to better unite the South Bethlehem community with the campus. “Lehigh University is at its best when it brings what it learns in the classroom into practice in communities.”

To that end, she said that a group of students will design creative ideas to help transform the greenway into a destination for the area. Students will collaborate with the residents to find out what they want from the greenway, whether it be gardens, art or play areas along the path.

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