Newtown Traffic Engineer Recommends 25 MPH Speed Limit for Section of Newtown-Yardley Rd

 

As reported in Newtown Patch:

“Pedestrian-activated overhead flashing strobe lights [Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, aka RRFBs] and a reduction in the speed limit [to 25 MPH] have been put forward as solutions for an unsafe mid-block pedestrian crossing at Tara Boulevard and the Newtown-Yardley Road. In response to concerns raised by the residents of Newtown Walk, the supervisors voted on Dec. 7 to move the improvements forward to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for consideration.” [See Summary of the Dec 7 BOS meeting.]

Although the engineer and Township Solicitor previously were of the opinion that changing the speed limit of Newtown-Yardley Rd from Elm St to Lower Dolington Rd would require permission from PennDOT, residents provided evidence that the existing factors regarding pedestrian safety are sufficient to lower the speed limit from 35 to 25 mph and PennDOT permission is NOT required as Newtown-Yardley Rd is a “turn-back” township road. Merely by documenting that the walkway into the Borough at the crosswalk is on the opposite side of the road from Newtown Walk, and that a 25-mph speed limit is a continuation of the speed limit from the Borough, a PennDOT official indicated those facts alone would be sufficient to justify the reduction of the speed limit.

After meeting with PennDOT officials on 12/19/2022, RVE (township engineering firm) confirmed to supervisors that "Newtown-Yardley is a Township Road. “PennDOT does not have specific involvement with the speed limit reduction on a Township Road,” said the RVE traffic engineer, “however, we reviewed our recommendations with them and take their guidance and design standards into consideration.”

“To help create a more uniform posted speed along the corridor, increase pedestrian safety at the existing crossing, as well as improve pedestrian and transit connectivity to the Borough, there is a benefit to lowering the posted speed limit to 25mph from the Newtown Borough line to the signalized intersection with Dolington Road/Terry Drive,” said RVE  in an updated memorandum.

RVE had a meeting with Police Chief Hearn regarding the possible reduction in speed limit from 35mph to 25mph along Newtown-Yardley Road near Tara Boulevard. The Department had no objections to implementing the reduction and will enforce as they are able to with their available resources.

Regarding RRFBs, a PennDOT permit is required. PennDOT will need to review and approve the design of the RRFB.

Posted on 02 Jan 2023, 01:54 - Category: Public Safety