Newtown Pedestrian, Bicycle & Wheelchair Safety Initiative

September 15, 2026 Zoom Meeting Briefing

The Newtown Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Wheelchair Safety Initiative is bringing residents together to address dangerous crossings, gaps in sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure, bicycle safety, wheelchair accessibility, and opportunities to obtain state funding for safety improvements.

Download the Presentation Notes

Key Takeaways

Infrastructure deficiencies: Several high-risk areas have been identified, including Silo Drive, Chandler Hall, and the Newtown Bypass.
Funding opportunities: Advocates are urging Newtown Township to take greater advantage of PennDOT grants that can fund traffic and pedestrian safety improvements.
Administrative concerns: Residents expressed frustration over delays in engineering work, project preparation, and access to information.
A permanent safety committee: Participants discussed re-establishing a standing Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee to provide a formal mechanism for resident input and professional oversight.

About the Safety Initiative

The initiative grew out of resident-led efforts to improve pedestrian safety at Tara Boulevard and Silo Drive. Those efforts resulted in safety improvements, including Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs). Other organizations and residents subsequently began seeking similar improvements elsewhere in Newtown.

The initiative has expanded beyond pedestrian crossings to include sidewalk connectivity, bicycle routes, wheelchair accessibility and walkability.

A major goal is to identify dangerous locations, document problems, find available grants, and encourage the Board of Supervisors to authorize the engineering work necessary to make projects eligible for funding.

Where Are the Safety Projects?

Location	Status	Safety Measure
Silo Drive	Completed	RRFBs installed following a pedestrian fatality.
Tara Boulevard	Completed	RRFBs and improved crosswalk markings.
Chandler Hall	In Progress / Delayed	RRFBs requested. The Board approved a study in October 2025, but documentation remained incomplete as of September 2026.
Johnquill Drive & Eagle Road	Proposed	RRFBs requested; residents considered temporary signage ineffective.
Newtown Yardley Road	In Progress	Sidewalk and curb project funded through a Multimodal Transportation grant.
Bypass at Newtown Gate Drive	Proposed	A pedestrian refuge island and improved crossing timing have been proposed.
Frost Lane	Proposed	Residents have requested a path providing safer access to Goodnoe Elementary School.

The Grant Funding Question

One of the central themes of the meeting was how Newtown can use state grants to improve pedestrian and traffic safety while minimizing costs to Township taxpayers.

ARLE Grants

PennDOT's Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) grants can provide 100% funding, with no Township match required, for eligible traffic safety improvements such as upgrades to existing traffic signals and safety signage.

Multimodal Transportation Fund

Multimodal Transportation Fund grants can support projects such as sidewalks and other transportation improvements. These grants often require a Township match, although some opportunities may provide full funding.

The Concern: Are Opportunities Being Missed?

According to advocates participating in the initiative, Newtown missed a 100%-funded opportunity in June 2026 and could miss another opportunity at the end of October because engineering estimates and concept drawings have not been prepared.

Engineering & Administrative Concerns

Participants identified several broader issues that they believe make it more difficult to move pedestrian safety projects forward.

Engineering Oversight

Residents questioned whether enough engineering attention is being devoted to pedestrian safety projects and whether project information is reaching the Board and public quickly enough.

The "Sidewalk to Nowhere" Problem

A recurring problem throughout Newtown is sidewalks that abruptly end at property boundaries. Developers may install sidewalks as part of individual projects, but gaps remain between developments.

The result can be a network of disconnected sidewalks rather than a continuous pedestrian system.

Crosswalk & Liability Concerns

The Township has expressed concerns about installing crosswalks where existing sidewalks on opposite sides of a road do not align. Upper Silver Lake Road was cited as an example.

Township concerns include potential liability when crosswalk striping cannot run perpendicular to the roadway.

Transparency

Participants also expressed concern that information from PennDOT and Township engineers is not always proactively shared with residents.

Frost Lane: A Case Study

Frost Lane illustrates some of the challenges residents face when requesting new pedestrian infrastructure.

A resident proposed a gravel path or sidewalk that would give children a safer route to Goodnoe Elementary School.

Township officials reportedly raised concerns about the width of the road, existing fences and walls, and the availability of Township right-of-way. Advocates questioned whether an easement or right-of-way might nevertheless be available.

The absence of a pedestrian connection also creates a gap between nearby neighborhoods and the planned new bridge crossing the creek.

Could Middletown Be a Model?

Participants pointed to neighboring Middletown Township as an example of a more structured approach to traffic and pedestrian safety.

Standing Traffic Committee: Middletown maintains a committee that meets monthly and includes police and designated resident members.
Long-range planning: Middletown reportedly maintains 15-to-20-year plans for sidewalk connectivity, including corridor maps.
Municipal cooperation: Roads such as the Bypass cross municipal boundaries, making coordination between Newtown and Middletown important.

What Happens Next?

The initiative identified several actions that could help move pedestrian, bicycle and wheelchair safety projects forward:

Increase public awareness and participation. Residents can bring safety concerns directly to the Board of Supervisors during public comment.
Re-establish a Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee. A standing committee of residents and professionals could provide ongoing recommendations and oversight.
Prepare projects before grants become available. Advocates want the Township engineer to develop "shelf-ready" concept drawings and cost estimates for priority locations.
Document hazards. Residents can continue compiling photographs, near-miss reports and other information demonstrating where safety improvements are needed.

From Individual Crosswalks to a Township-Wide Strategy

The discussion suggests that the issue extends beyond any single crosswalk or sidewalk. Participants are advocating for a more systematic approach that identifies dangerous locations, connects existing pedestrian infrastructure, prepares projects in advance for grant opportunities, and gives residents a formal role in shaping pedestrian, bicycle and wheelchair safety policy.

The broader question: Can Newtown move from responding to individual safety problems to developing a long-term, connected pedestrian safety plan?