Allentown is restricting traffic near the busy 7th and Hamilton downtown intersection as it begins work on a $6.5 million redesign to Center Square, home to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

The redesign plans would shift Seventh Street down to two lanes and add a bike lane on one side, and eliminate one of the two lanes of Hamilton Street that bisect around the monument at the intersection. The work would create a plaza-type space around the monument that could be used for public events and outdoor seating.

The prominent and busy intersection at the heart of downtown Allentown is home to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a 90-foot high statue with a decorative base flanked by four life-size soldiers, and an 80-foot granite shaft topped by the Goddess of Liberty statue.

It was dedicated in 1899 to honor the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers who served during the American Civil War.

The first phase of work involves waterline upgrades performed by the Lehigh County Authority. The following lane restrictions and traffic interruptions will take place over the next several weeks:

Oct. 20–22: Lane restrictions only
Oct. 23–29: No left turn onto Hamilton Street while traveling south on 7th Street
Oct. 30–31: Lane restrictions only
Nov. 3–4: No right turn onto 7th Street while traveling east on Hamilton Street
Nov. 5–14: Lane restrictions only

More road closures, restrictions and detours will be necessary as the construction moves forward, which will likely be in the spring, according to a city news release. Drivers should plan ahead and expect delays when traveling through the area during construction periods.

The city began soliciting resident feedback on a possible redesign of the intersection in 2023.

The Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Board, which oversees the special state-created zone in Allentown that redirects local and state taxes to pay off construction debt and finance infrastructure improvements, contributed over $3 million to pay for the redesign construction.

Construction on the redesign is expected to be complete by 2026.

Reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at Liweber@mcall.com.