Politics & Government

County Exec Candidate Discusses Rt. 378/I-78 Interchange

During a recent interview with the Express-Times editorial board, Northampton County Executive candidate Glenn Reibman talked about revisiting the idea of building an interchange at Route 378 and I-78 in Lower Saucon Township.

In the April 30 interview, Reibman said it was unclear why the interchange wasn't built when the interstate was constructed in the mid-late 1980s, and added that he would support a county-financed feasibility study before approaching the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) about the proposal.

In a November 2009 "Road Warrior" column published by The Morning Call, Dan Hartzell states that the Route 378 interchange was removed from consideration by federal officials early (1979) in the planning stages for the 31-mile "final leg" of I-78, which opened in November 1989.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In 1984, some pro-development township officials attempted to urge highway planners to reconsider building the interchange—over the protests of anti-development residents, and ultimately to no avail, Hartzell wrote in the column.

Reibman is running for the county executive nomination against fellow Democrats Lamont McClure and John Callahan.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The primary election will be held May 21.

What do you think? Would a Route 378 interchange on Interstate 78 be a good idea? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.


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