Complete Overhaul Of Dangerous Oxford Valley Road Intersection Being Finalized

PennDOT engineers are getting close to finalizing plans to completely revamp the dangerous and frustrating Oxford Valley Road intersection.

PennDOT officials met with Falls Township, county, and Democratic State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, who represents the area, on Wednesday afternoon to go over the plan.

Engineer Timothy Stevenson, who works for PennDOT, said if the plan moves forward, construction could begin in 2024 and be completed by 2026.

The plan PennDOT is preparing at present removes the current intersection of Oxford Valley Road and North Oxford Valley Road near Lincoln Highway and replaces it. The proposal calls for moving the intersection to form new signalized intersection across from the Oxford Point Shopping Center in Falls Township on the Middletown Township border.

The re-aligned intersection would have a rain basin where the current intersection sits and have two small entry driveways to connect to the existing Wawa and Philly’s Craft Beer location.

Improvements at the intersection of Oxford Valley Road and Lincoln Highway include widening of both roadways for dual left-turn lanes at all approaches to the intersection and for a northbound right-turn lane.

Robyn Briggs, a PennDOT spokesperson, said the work would also include construction of concrete islands, new curb, sidewalk, and ADA compliant curb ramps.

Stevenson explained the new intersection would be safer and improve the flow of traffic, especially in the area of the busy Lincoln Highway and Oxford Valley Road intersection.

After hearing about the project, Santarsiero said the work was “long overdue” and an would mark an important improvement for drivers.

The state senator said with a laugh that he would make sure there is adequate access to the Wawa and beer store.

The state owns some land around the intersection, which previously was home to a Fuddruckers and Arby’s, but PennDOT would need to work out deals with at least three surrounding property owners to use some of their land for the realigned intersection, said Stevenson.

The price tag for the project isn’t finalized, but the majority of the funding would be through federal dollars.

Residents have complained for years about the intersection. Falls Township officials have said the intersection was PennDOT’s responsibility and supported a redesigned intersection.

Santarsiero and PennDOT officials also talked about proposals to improve Route 13 and Tyburn Road at their interchange. There was also conversations about improving the on- and off-ramps that have stop signs along Route 13.

The state lawmaker said improvements are needed as the massive Keystone Trade Center is underway and more traffic is expected.

Additionally, PennDOT is looking at withdrawing the National Highway System designation from Pennsylvania Avenue in Falls Township and Morrisville Borough. The removal of the designation would make it easier for officials to implement speed calming on the roadway that has served as a cut-through for trucks heading to Falls Township’s industrial areas off Tyburn Road.

Santarsiero said the change in designation would aid local officials in keeping thru-traffic from trucks off the two-lane avenue that goes into Morrisville Borough.

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