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Traffic congestion management is one of the most difficult tasks facing the Board of Supervisors. When a Township-wide Traffic Study was commissioned, goals were established to evaluate potential improvements that would reduce congestion and improve efficiency while maintaining the character of the Township and minimizing impacts on adjacent properties. Another goal of the study was to evaluate potential funding mechanisms for the necessary improvements. The Township has enacted an ordinance levying impact fees on new developments, which involves a one time capital improvement fee of $1,860 for each new peak hour trip, which is generated by a new development or building.
 Many short-term and safety improvements have commenced as well. Recent improvements include re-timing traffic signals at various locations to improve traffic flow, and installation of new signals at Skippack Pike and Cathcart Road, Jolly and Wentz Roads, Arch Street and Jolly Road, and at Union Meeting Road and Harvest Drive.
Improvements to the intersection of Morris Road and Cathcart Road involved a realignment of the Cathcart Road approaches to form a cross intersection and the installation of a new traffic signal.
Improvements to the intersection of Morris Road and Penllyn-Blue Bell Pike
were completed in the fall of 2008. This project
added a right turn lane to southbound Penllyn-Blue
Bell Pike and left turn lanes to Morris Road
substantially reducing delays at the
intersection.
Recently, the
township received a grant that paid for a portion of
the design and construction costs to install
required safety improvements to the entrance
driveway of Prophecy Creek Park. This project is anticipated
to be completed in the Spring of 2010. The location
includes the intersection of Narcissa Road and
Skippack Pike. The intersection improvements
include:
- Realignment of
the entrance to Prophecy Creek Park with
Narcissa Road.
- Installation of
a traffic signal at Narcissa Road and Skippack
Pike
- Installation of
a left turn lane into Shady Grove Elementary
School and the park as required by PennDOT.
- Installation of
storm water drainage improvements.
- Relocation of
utility poles and underground utilities.
- Installation of
trees along the school and park property.
Significant projects that are either in the design or planning stage include the following:
-
Skippack Pike Corridor Improvements
-
Morris Road and North Wales Road Intersection Realignment and Signalization
(construction will begin in the spring of 2010)
-
Route 202 Widening Project
- The Turnpike's
202 Bridge Widening Project (DeKalb Pike at the
Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania
Turnpike) will be completed in the fall of 2010.
Updates regarding the Route 202 project can be found at us202.com The improvements within Whitpain Township are part of Section 600.
In addition to physical improvements the Township is active with the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association (TMA) and local businesses. The work of the TMA involves such things as expansion of bus service to the office park areas, ride sharing programs, establishing flexible works hours, and assisting the Township and the business community in pursuing funding for roadway improvements. The TMA also disseminates traffic information and potential delays via their web site and faxes sent to members.
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