Council OKs Exploring Solution for Fire Lane Runoff

After hearing reports from officials at their most recent meeting, Lower Saucon Township Council members voted 4-0 to explore a potential solution to a longstanding stormwater runoff problem near Fire Lane and Black River Road.

The solution to the runoff problem—which residents of the neighborhood have described at council meetings—will be costly, council was told.

Township engineer Brien Kocher said that because of the number of underground utilities in the area, the construction of an underground storm sewer system with inlets will likely be "a very slow project," lasting at least months.

The proposed storm sewer system would convey the Fire Lane runoff—some of which may be spring-fed—to an outlet along a Black River tributary east of Old Philadelphia Pike.

Kocher estimated the cost of the proposed system at just over $500,000.

Repaving Black River Road after the installation of the storm sewer is completed could add another $20,000 to the total price tag.

Council members such as Dave Willard, who called the estimate "a shocking figure," expressed both concern about the potential expense and a sense of responsibility.

"It sounds like we have to find a way to do it," Willard said of the project.

He added that he hopes there aren't 10 or 12 other areas in the township that could require the construction of similarly extensive—and expensive—runoff solutions.

"We've heard complaints about this for some time now," said council vice president Tom Maxfield.

"I agree with Dave," he added. "This is a safety issue. We have school bus stops...all sorts of traffic on that road. I would like to see us take the initial steps."

Township public works director Roger Rasich said the project could take an entire summer to complete if the work is performed by the public works employees.

Photo: A view of the intersection of Black River Road (left) and Fire Lane in Lower Saucon Township (Image source: Google Maps).