Crash, Closed Roads, Outage Cause Messy Commute

As if power outages affecting traffic signals weren't enough, some Saucon Valley commuters had to contend with closed roads Tuesday afternoon, as well as an accident that snarled traffic along Route 412 south of Hellertown. 

Lower Saucon Township police were on the scene of the accident--which occurred near the intersection of Apples Church and Leithsville roads--at around 4:30pm.

The passenger side of a tan coupe showed signs of damage and the car was resting partially on the shoulder in the northbound lane of Leithsville Road, facing the wrong way. Only one line of cars was able to bypass the accident, and police were directing traffic in the roadway. Due to the time of day, a line of vehicles south of the scene quickly extended to a point beyond the intersection of Leithsville and Flint Hill roads.

It was not known if there were any injuries as a result of the accident.

On nearby Bingen Road in Lower Saucon, township police and a Dewey EMS ambulance were seen at a residence at around the same time, although the reason for their response to that location was not apparent.

Meanwhile, in the western part of the township rush hour traffic along Route 378 was again snarled by out-of-commission traffic signals at major intersections, including the intersection of Route 378 and Black River Road.

The signals have been dark ever since , including a PPL transmission line that extends over South Mountain to Bethlehem.

Stop signs were temporarily set up at the Black River Road-Route 378 intersection, which was functioning as a four-way stop while the traffic signal was out of service.

Some businesses along Route 378--including --were open as of Tuesday afternoon, but others, including the office of State Rep. Justin Simmons, remained shuttered and dark.

In an email update to constituents late Tuesday afternoon, Simmons commented on the blackout and its effects on his ability to communicate.

"Like many of you, my home and the homes of my staff are still without power," he said. "My district office in Bethlehem has also been without electricity or phone service since Saturday’s snowstorm. I apologize for any inconvenience this may be causing."

Simmons said he was hopeful that his office could reopen "later this week."

In a sign that life in the Saucon Valley was beginning to return to normal, the announced on Tuesday that school would be open Wednesday, after being closed two days in a row.

Due to the lingering effects of the snowstorm, children who are unable to attend Wednesday will be excused, the district said.

The Saucon Valley Compost Center opened from 7am to 3pm, and will remain open during those hours through Friday, it was also announced.

Signs of the devastation wrought by the heavy, wet snow--which caused huge tree branches to snap like twigs--continued to be seen everywhere.

Massive piles of branches and leaves extended into roadways throughout Lower Saucon and Hellertown, making travel on narrow thoroughfares more treacherous than usual. Some roads also remained closed, including Saucon Valley Road between the Lehigh County line and Bingen Road.

Other roads that lead into the Saucon Valley, such as William Street in South Bethlehem, were restricted as crews worked to restore power and clear debris.