Rep. Dent Supports Bethlehem Intermodal, Strategy for Enhanced Public Transportation
Press Release
Rep. Dent supports Bethlehem intermodal, strategy for enhanced public transportation
U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, today presented $490,000 in federal funds to LANTA and the City of Bethlehem toward the development of an intermodal transit center along East Third Street on the city's South Side.
Congressman Dent was joined by Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan and LANTA Executive Director Armand Greco. The center would help bolster regional public transportation and serve as an anchor for development that is taking place in the adjacent neighborhood, including the Northampton Community College South Side Campus, redevelopment of the former Bethlehem Steel site, and the South Bethlehem Greenway project.
Congressman Dent funded the project through the Federal Transportation Administration in the FY08 federal budget.
"This center - along with similar intermodals in Allentown and Easton will play a vital role in strengthening the region's public transportation system," Congressman Dent said. "This is part of a larger strategy to address the concurrent issues of rising energy costs, traffic congestion and environmental conservation."
The city has preliminary plans to incorporate the bus terminal in a large parking garage and retail streetscape project. Mayor Callahan noted that the intermodal center could replace a "temporary" bus station on South Side that was put in place a decade ago. The new intermodal could then be a link between local bus service and interstate commuter buses. City officials are hopeful the project could be underway as early as next year.
Earlier in the day, Congressman Dent took the morning commute from Allentown to Bethlehem on LANTA's "A" bus, helping spread the word for commuters to use public transportation when possible.
"Until we determine whether this area might eventually be served again by passenger rail - and that's a long-term proposition - we must support the bus service in this area as an answer to our transportation needs," Congressman Dent said.
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