Plans to enhance pedestrian safety at two intersections in Newtown Township are awaiting final approvals from PennDOT.
The planned upgrades are for the intersections of Newtown-Yardley Road and Tara Boulevard and Sycamore Street and Silo Drive.
The projects last year were awarded a $326,931 PennDOT grant for the work. However, both projects are still pending final review and approval from PennDOT.
Dominic Cundari, Newtown Township’s engineer, said that PennDOT recently requested several changes before final approval can be granted.
Cundari said at the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting that he remains optimistic about receiving the green light for the Newtown-Yardley Road and Tara Boulevard plans as early as this week.
Once PennDOT approves the plans, the township can move forward with preparing the bid documents Cundari explained.
The documents will then be presented to the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors for final approval before solicitation of contractors.
The proposed upgrades at the intersections include the installation of overhead and post-mounted rectangular rapid flashing beacons, federally-compliant signage, pedestrian push buttons, and high-visibility crosswalks. These measures are intended to enhance pedestrian visibility and safety dramatically.
Local residents from the Newtown Walk development near Newtown-Yardley Road and Tara Boulevard have been vocal advocates for these improvements over the years.
At the Board of Supervisors meeting, Newtown Walk resident Charles Feuer praised the police department for increasing traffic enforcement. Feuer also expressed gratitude towards PennDOT for planning the improvements at these critical intersections.
Valerie Mihalek, another Newtown Walk resident, spoke on the importance of pedestrian safety projects not just at these intersections but across Bucks County as the region continues to grow.
