The transformation of the section of Bethlehem Pike in Flourtown from a four-lane roadway to a freshly paved three-lane street with left turn lanes has elicited a range of reviews from travelers on the neighborhood’s main street.

“I think it will help slow things down,” says Karen Phelps of Scarlet Begonias, a women’s boutique along Bethlehem Pike. “The lights need to be synced up because traffic gets backed up, but I think it will be a good thing once it is finished.”

Flourtown resident Kate Edwards also noted the traffic back-up, but appreciates that the changes have made it “much easier to turn left.” 

The project, which is near completion, comes as a result of Springfield Township officials reporting their concerns about the roadway to PennDOT, said Krys Johnson, the agency’s safety press officer. Plans for the current work were first introduced in May of 2022 when a group of PennDOT representatives spoke at a Springfield Township public information meeting.

At the heart of their message was the idea of “road dieting,” a practice in which the number of lanes in a roadway is decreased to reduce car crashes. This is coming off the heels of a four-year stretch in which there were 140 recorded crashes on the corridor. 

“The purpose of the project is to improve the safe and efficient movement of motorists, emergency service vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles,” as well as “reduce the occurrence of angle and rear end crashes along that corridor,” Johnson said.

Jason Klotkowsi, owner of the Rita’s water ice store right off Bethlehem Pike, said the speed at which cars had been traveling was worrisome – and he appreciates the relief. 

“It was a highway,” Klotkowski said, “and there's a lot of kids, and a lot of people that walk up and down these sidewalks.”

However, the construction has caused some inconvenience and a range of responses from residents and motorists. 

Erdenheim resident Finn McCormick said he woke up one morning to construction vehicles occupying the roadway. His mother Meredith finds herself  “having to take detours when traffic’s really backed up,” as well as during the periods when they are actively working on the road. She is “reserving all judgment” about the project until it is complete. 

While nearby businesses and residents say they’re pleased that traffic has slowed and now seems more “pedestrian-friendly,” some drivers are complaining on social media about the slower going. 

One person posted shock, writing “Bethlehem Pike is one lane now!!!!!??” If the five exclamation points weren’t enough to show the surprise of some residents, another user, @lilSVGE_, put it another way: “Who’s [dumb] idea was it to change Bethlehem Pike to a two-lane street instead of four[?]” 

For these drivers, stoplights now appear to be the issue causing the most headaches. Many drivers report situations where the lights are all the same at one time, and other instances that force traffic to be backed up down the entire road. 

So while traffic may be frustratingly slow for some, residents report that the road does appear to be safer for everyone – from the people behind the wheel to the youngsters lined up for water ice at Rita’s. 

Construction is set to be completed this fall.