Credit: Upper Makefield police
Flood gates have been installed along a flood-prone stretch of River Road in Upper Makefield Township, police announced.
One gate has been placed on River Road just south of Jonathan Way, before the canal bridge. A second gate sits just north of Francisco’s on the River, according to police.
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The installation of the gates comes as part of efforts to improve road safety during high-water events in an area known for frequent flooding.
“As you know, this section of roadway is prone to flooding and these gates will enable us to shut down the road quickly and prevent drivers from going around barricades and/or moving them,” the Upper Makefield Township Police Department said in a Facebook post last month. “Please do not take that as a challenge and if the gates are down, please turn around and seek an alternate route such as Taylorsville Road.”
According to township data, records indicate that up to 200 properties in Upper Makefield Township face a higher risk of flooding. Local waterways known to flood include the Delaware River, the Delaware Canal, and both Jericho and Hough creeks.
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The addition of the gates follows measures taken after deadly flooding in July 2023. PennDOT completed repairs to River Road and implemented flash flood mitigation steps in the township.