5th Street/Allentown Pike Corridor Revitalization

  1. Overview
  2. Final Plan
  3. Existing Conditions
  4. Project Team
  5. Steering Committee
  6. Recommendations

5th Street Highway and Allentown Pike CorridorAbout the Project

The Muhlenberg Township 5th Street Highway/Allentown Pike Corridor Revitalization Project includes a 3.9-mile stretch of U.S. Business Route 222 between Highway 222 and the city of Reading boundary. The project’s purpose is to develop a vibrant and realistic 15- to 20-year plan that provides vehicle access while creating a strong sense of place. By building on the unique strengths and opportunities within the Muhlenberg area, the plan demonstrates a sustainable strategy for revitalizing the corridor.

Corridor Character Zones

For the purpose of the study, an initial assessment of the 3.9 mile corridor identified eleven Corridor Character Zones:

  1. North Muhlenberg Gateway
  2. Cherokee Ranch Neighborhood Fringe
  3. NGK Metals Site - Laureldale Cemetery
  4. PennDOT and Rail Corridor
  5. Target Commercial Zone
  6. Schools and Quarry Zone
  7. Bellevue Gateway
  8. The Fairgrounds Square Mall and Shopping Centers
  9. Route 12 Gateway and Big Box Retail
  10. Hyde Park Neighborhood Fringe
  11. South Muhlenberg Gateway

Each zone is distinct from the other, providing a variety of major functions including gateways to and from Muhlenberg, fringe neighborhoods, retail, and industrial centers, the former Berks Products Quarry and schools. View a Detailed Map of the Corridor Character Zones (PDF).