Middletown’s Plan To Add Traffic Light Draws Ire From Some

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Swift Road as Swan Way. The intersection is Lower Silver Lake Road, Swift Road, and Woodbourne Road.

The planned addition of a traffic signal in Middletown Township has drawn protest from some residents.

The township is looking to add a traffic signal along Woodbourne Road at its intersection with Lower Silver Lake Road and Swift Road near the Newtown Bypass. The township has budgeted $600,000 for the traffic light and road widening.

Currently, the intersection features only stop signs at Lower Silver Lake Road and Swift Road.

The proposal, which has been in the works for years, has dawn support from some who live near the intersection and ire from other who live there.

Township Manager Stephanie Teoli Kuhls said residents first raised issue with township in 2017 and continued to press the municipality to add a signal after several dangerous crashes and near misses. The Middletown Township Citizens Traffic Commission looked at issue and a traffic study was done to see a signal was needed.

The traffic study found that a traffic signal at the intersection is permitted under PennDOT’s standard due to the amount traffic and not due to number of crashes, but residents said there were numerus near-misses that weren’t counted in crash data, Teoli Kuhls said.

The traffic signal installation and road widening was included in the 2021 budget, but was moved to 2022 so there would be more time to plan.

From 2018 to 2021, there were 13 crashes at the intersection, including several serious ones and two struck pedestrians, data showed.

Phil Wursta, the township’s traffic engineer, said he looked at data and studied the intersection after the issue was raised several years back.

After discussion and reviewing traffic data, the plan to widen the roadway and add the traffic signal was proposed. He said left-turn lanes would be added along Woodbourne Road, there would be an extension of the left-turn lane going to the Newtown Bypass, the new traffic signal would be tied in with those along the busy bypass, and there would be an increase in safety measures for pedestrians, Wursta said.

The traffic engineer said the goal would be to improve safety and reduce traffic backups with the creation of a “new modernized intersection.”

Dawn Smith, who has lived near the intersection since 1987, said she believes a light is needed at the intersection. She did have some concerns over the amount of space the widening will provide with some cars speeding after coming off the Newtown Bypass.

“For me, I think that without a doubt, while I love all the widening and that is going to help, I think the light is necessary,” she said.

Donna Salvucci, who helped raise the issue with the township in 2017, said residents have worked for years and gone to numerous previous public meetings to get the traffic signal installed.

“We hear the accidents, we call 9-1-1, and we rush across,” she said.

Salvucci said the screeching of tires and near-misses will never be counted in crash data.

Virginia Walsh, a resident who lives near the intersection, said she is supportive of the intersection.

She noted that in addition to the crashes and near-misses, the potential addition of a new Wawa at the nearby intersection of Lower Silver Lake Road and the Newtown Bypass in Newtown Township will likely make problems worse without a traffic signal.

“Our main concern here is safety,” she said, citing traffic study showing need for traffic signal. “We already know it is unsafe.”

Middletown Chief of Police Joseph Bartorilla said the stretch of Woodbourne Road has “very high volume.”

The chief said traffic can be slow during overnight periods, but the intersection can be very busy at peak times. He added the intersection is a dangerous problem.

Rich Brodsky, who lives near the intersection, said he has concerns the traffic signal will direct cars down the Eagles Mere neighborhood off Woodbourne Road.

Pat Mallon, a former township supervisors and resident whose property abuts the intersection, said he has concerns over the addition of a traffic signal. He asked why other traffic calming measures were not used, suggesting increased warning signage and a four-way stop.

“Once that light goes up, even if this becomes worst intersection in Bucks County, it’s never coming down. We’re going to spend the money and put it up there. I pray to God it’s the right move and reduces accidents and fatalities,” he said.

Mallon stressed the township should talk with residents more and look at trying other steps first before adding the traffic light.

An online petition against the proposal gained just over 80 signatures.

Middletown Township Board of Supervisors Chairperson Mike Ksiazek said he was uncertain on the traffic signal at first, but he now supports it.

Ksiazek said he would support looking at traffic calming measures in neighborhoods where they feel the proposed signal would create cut-through volume, including Eagles Mere.

The supervisors in May voted 4-1 to seek bids for the project, but they have not agreed yet to accept any until the issue was talked about further.

The township will hold an information session on the planned signalization and widening Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the municipal center at 3 Municipal Way.

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