I am also VERY concerned about environmental racism. There are several churches in town, and yet, the only two directly impacted by PennDOT’s proposed cloverleaf are ones with predominantly African-American congregations. Bethlehem AME Church was founded in 1809 and is the oldest house of worship established by people of color in Bucks County and second oldest in the Commonwealth. It was part of the Underground Railroad. Existing truck traffic has already caused cracks in the foundation of the Bethlehem AME church. PennDOT’s plan for the proposed cloverleaf and additional traffic on Rt 413 threatens to further undermine the structural foundation of this historical Black church. Rt. 413 divides historic Washington Village in the Borough which has great importance to the history of freed slaves in the Borough. Expanded traffic volume on Rt. 413 creates an even greater chasm that further cuts off historical Black churches, as well as the town’s playground and library from the center of town–making it increasingly difficult for members of the community to cross Rt. 413 to reach these churches, as well as other community resources. The part of the Borough that has the largest concentration of African American residents is near Rt. 413 and the above noted adverse effects on air quality due to increased congestion would disproportionately impact African American residents in the Borough.

I am also VERY concerned about environmental racism. There are several churches in town, and yet, the only two directly impacted by PennDOT’s proposed cloverleaf are ones with predominantly African-American congregations. Bethlehem AME Church was founded in 1809 and is the oldest house of worship established by people of color in Bucks County and second oldest in the Commonwealth. It was part of the Underground Railroad. Existing truck traffic has already caused cracks in the foundation of the Bethlehem AME church. PennDOT’s plan for the proposed cloverleaf and additional traffic on Rt 413 threatens to further undermine the structural foundation of this historical Black church. Rt. 413 divides historic Washington Village in the Borough which has great importance to the history of freed slaves in the Borough. Expanded traffic volume on Rt. 413 creates an even greater chasm that further cuts off historical Black churches, as well as the town’s playground and library from the center of town–making it increasingly difficult for members of the community to cross Rt. 413 to reach these churches, as well as other community resources. The part of the Borough that has the largest concentration of African American residents is near Rt. 413 and the above noted adverse effects on air quality due to increased congestion would disproportionately impact African American residents in the Borough.