UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. – A long-time animal shelter in Lehigh County says its future is in question because of an upcoming PennDOT project on Interstate 78.

The Sanctuary at Haafsville says the way PennDOT has drawn its 500-million construction plan would run right through part of its Upper Macungie location.

An open house is set at Foglesville Elementary from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday night. It’s the first chance the public is getting on seeing the first design plans of the 3-phase project.

Part of the plan is a new Adam’s Road interchange, that animal shelter the Sanctuary at Haafsville fears will radically change how and if it survives.

From the affectionate, athletic, to those, recovering and ready to roam. In 16 years, The Sanctuary at Haafsville has rescued nearly 20,000 dogs and cats.

“A lot of dogs I get from Act Philly,” said shelter manager Jayne Anne Bissell. Act Philly is a kill shelter, according to Bissell.

Even on a gloomy day, the canine bright spot is easy to see.

“This is vital,” said Bissell of its impact on getting dogs adopted.

“We’ve been planting for the past 5 years, calm quiet, a lot of nature,” she described. 

Bissel says thousands of dogs a year, many highly reactive, are walked along the seven acres of trails.

“They are going to go right along here,” she showed.

Added traffic lanes, feet from the trail and a roundabout, biting well into their 7-acre Upper Macungie Township property.

Part of PennDOT’s preliminary interchange plans at nearby Adams Road. A 500-million-dollar multi-phase I-78 project.

As it stands now, Bissell says the impact would extend beyond the trail, and doesn’t think the sanctuary would survive as the impact extends beyond the trail.

“Not only do we help that many animals a year, but it also helps a lot of our volunteers. A lot of people come here when they’re stressed out or maybe they’re having some mental health issues, and animals give people a place to unwind,” she explained.

Bissel says human nor hound could unwind next to constant semi’s driving within feet.

PennDOT says the plan isn’t set in stone.

“Typically, if your property is directly impacted, meaning It’s going to have either a partial or full acquisition. You will have more involvement in the process,” said PennDOT’s Ron Young. 

As for The Sanctuary, which has spent hundreds of thousands of donor dollars transforming the property, its future now appears on endangered ground.

“If you’re shut down or greatly impacted, where does that leave shelter dogs?” 69 News reporter Bo Koltnow asked Bissell.

“They are going to be out of luck,” she said.

PennDOT says the timeline, if everything goes smooth, is set to start in 2030 and take five to six years to complete, while stressing plans can change.

A public open house set at Fogelsville Elementary School will take place on Wednesday night, from 6 to 8. 

Public comments will be taken through June 5.