27 September 2024: Bids for for two pedestrian crosswalks safety upgrades were accessed and read aloud at the offices of Remington and Vernick Engineers at 1010 Stony Hill Road, Suite 175, Yardley, PA 19067. For more about these projects, see the Tara Blvd Crosswalk Improvement Timeline and the North Sycamore Street Pedestrian Safety Timeline.

The township received a total of two (2) bids as follows:

• T. Schiefer Contractors, Inc.
  • Base Bid - $391,915
  • Alternate Bid No. 1 (decorative poles) - $117,000
  • TOTAL: $508,915
• Armour & Sons Electric, Inc.
  • Base Bid - $437,445
  • Alternate Bid No. 1 (decorative poles) - $103,125
  • TOTAL: $540,570

The Township engineers have started to review all the submitted documentation and will have a recommendation for award as soon as possible. The bids do need to be submitted to Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) Funding for their review and approval as part of the grant contract. Note that the township received an ARLE Grant of $326,931 for these projects. An additional $50,000 is available from another grant.

According to PennDOT and Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office, Newtown Township will get $326,931 for pedestrian upgrades at two unsignalized intersections. The improvements include overhead and post-mounted Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, federally-compliant signage, pedestrian push buttons and high-visibility crosswalks.

The location of the upgrades were not released. See, however, my insights below.

The funding for these projects is sourced from fines collected from red light violations at 34 intersections in Philadelphia. According to state law, only projects that aim to improve safety, enhance mobility, and reduce congestion qualify for this funding.

This is my personal summary of the June 14, 2023, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.

Access the 2023 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2023 BOS meetings plus the BOS voting record (UNOFFICIAL) for 2023.

Agenda Items

• Planning Committee Report
  • Capital Grille Restaurant
  • Brandmar (The Grey Stone) Expansion
• Engineer’s Report
  • ARLE Funding Program: Pedestrian Safety - Sycamore St versus Newtown-Yardley Rd
• Solicitor’s Report
  • Wawa Settlement Agreement
• Newtown Zoning Armageddon(tm)
• Detailed Meeting Notes
• Official Video
• Video Transcript

At the June 14, 2023, #NewtownPA BOS meeting, supervisors considered approving a resolution to apply for an Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) grant for the construction of a pedestrian-activated overhead Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at the Newtown-Yardley Rd/Tara Blvd crosswalk.

During the discussion, Newtown Walk residents, including Charles Feuer and Valerie Mihalek, were disappointed that this grant money, if awarded, would not be available until 2024 while accidents and near accidents continue to occur at this crosswalk.

Supervisor John Mack suggested that some of the $250,000 allocated in the 2023 budget for Sycamore St be used for the Tara Blyd crosswalk. Although the Sycamore project has been on the docket for over a year vs 6 months or so for Tara Blvd, Mr. Mack suggested that instead of the $250,000 being set aside for Silo Drive and Sycamore Street that it be used in the case of of this overhead light for Tara Drive. Mr. Mack . "It doesn't matter to me who came first before the board to ask for this ," said Mr. Mack, argued that it would be more responsive to put money to work where the current need is greatest; i.e., Tara Blvd.

Eventually, the supervisors agreed to see how much of the $250,000 is still available and then make a decision what do with it; e,g., start work on the Tara Blvd RRFB.

In the meantime, the BOS approved the resolution to apply for the ARLE grant.

Governor Tom Wolf today announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will distribute approximately $12.9 million in Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) funding to 22 municipalities statewide to fund 28 safety projects.

Grants through this program may be used for a range of safety and mobility projects.

Grant funding is supplied by fines from red light violations at 32 intersections in Philadelphia. State law specifies that projects improving safety, enhancing mobility, and reducing congestion can be considered for funding. Municipalities submitted 132 applications, totaling $48.3 million in requests. 

Grant Recipients Include:

• Falls Township: $756,881 for intersection safety improvements to seven intersections throughout the community.
• Cranberry Township: $300,000 for the installation of a new warranted traffic signal at the intersection of Route 19 and Progress Avenue.
• Upper Darby Township: $107,370 to improve to improve pedestrian safety along the Providence Road corridor at Penn Pines Park by installing a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB), installing ADA accessible curb ramps and crosswalk striping. There will also be striping improvements at the intersection of Penn Pines Boulevard to help manage turning movements and improve sight distance.