Falls, Bristol Township Outline Plans For Improvements To Intersections

Bristol and Falls townships could be adding improvements to some busy intersections.

The Falls Board of Supervisors and Bristol Township Council recently discussed impending applications for a new grant currently being offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

The Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) grant program would utilize funds collected by multiple cameras throughout Philadelphia to help improve four local Lower Bucks County intersections.

Falls Township has their eyes on two locations, one at New Falls Road at the entrance to the Vermillion Hills section and another at South Olds Boulevard at the golf course crossing, while Bristol Township has their eyes on two sections of Green Lane, one at Bristol Emilie Road and another at Mill Creek Road.

The grant, which is administered by PennDOT’s Bureau of Maintenance and Operations, has become available due to revenues generated by the City of Philadelphia. The city, which began placing ARLE or red light cameras at several intersections throughout the metro area, has placed the balance of revenues created into a restricted Motor License Fund account which has now become available to accepted grant applications.

The grant application, which is due by June 30, required an approved township resolution before being submitted.

Once the grant is offered and accepted, PennDOT will then reimburse the townships for improvements made to the intersections within 60 days. It is not clear when the grants will be awarded, but construction on the area could take 2-3 months to complete.

“It’s all tying together to make pedestrian travel safer,” said Chairman Bob Harvie of Falls.

Falls Township, which discussed making travel safer along New Falls Road back in February, had to reauthorize their sidewalk project to go back out to bid this past Tuesday. “It’s a little unclear as to why there were no interested bidders,” Harvie said.

The project, which would add sidewalks and crosswalks along the roadway, would help connect residents of Vermillion Hills and Thornridge. 

Editor’s Note: A former version of this article stated the ARLE grant would be used to purchase and install red light cameras at four local intersections. The grant instead uses money raised by red light cameras to help improve intersections.