Attention bikers: The Harley-Davidson brand could be roaring back to the Lehigh Valley.

The owner of Keystone Harley-Davidson in Parryville, Carbon County, wants to relocate to a new 32,000-square-foot motorcycle dealership off MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township, with designs on opening in mid-2018.

Lehigh Valley Business first reported on the plans Monday.

Keystone Harley-Davidson owner and President Bob Eggstein told the business weekly he still needs final approvals from the brand's corporate office, but the project received preliminary final approval last week from the Whitehall Township planning commission.

It would be built at MacArthur and Eberhardt roads, next to a planned 37,000-square-foot Lidl grocery store that township commissioners granted final conditional approval last week.

Harley-Davidson hasn't had a presence in the Lehigh Valley since 2011, when Crossroads Harley-Davidson on Route 309 in Upper Saucon Township closed. An Indian motorcycle dealership went in there in 2015.

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The nearest Harley dealership to the Easton area now is Pocono Mountain Harley-Davidson off Route 33 in Snydersville, Monroe County.

"It's a huge opportunity for the brand," Eggstein told Lehigh Valley Business. "For the Harley brand to come back to the Valley is big news. Our brand is a very community-oriented brand, as well."

The Harley dealership in Parryville has 27 employees and Eggstein said he could possibly add 15 more jobs once the Whitehall location opens. He hasn't ruled out keeping the Carbon County spot open, too.

He told Lehigh Valley Business that the start of construction in Whitehall is tied to the Lidl project because the German grocery chain is helping with financing for improvements at the MacArthur Road intersection.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

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