Traffic Concerns Raised Over Route 1 Improvement Project

A sign opposing removal of the service roads. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

PennDOT officials outlined the final phase of a major improvement project for a 2.7-mile stretch of Route 1 through Middletown Township, Langhorne Manor Borough, and Langhorne Borough during a recent public virtual meeting.

The $150 million project, which is called Section RC 3, is the last stage of PennDOT’s Route 1 Improvement Program in Lower Bucks County.

PennDOT has said the project’s goal is to enhance safety along the highway by eliminating most service roads, construct two new interchanges, replace four bridges, and improve accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists.

“The primary purpose of this project is to facilitate safe and efficient travel along U.S. 1 within and through the project area to meet current and future transportation needs while providing a functional and modern roadway that meets current design criteria and driver expectations,” said Ken Yerges, PennDOT’s design project manager.

The project area spans Route 1 from the bridge over the CSX and SEPTA West Trenton Line to just north of the Corn Crib Lane overpass, before the Maple Avenue (Route 213) interchange. It includes the 2-mile section of service road, also called the frontage road.

Current plans maintain Route 1 as a four-lane divided highway but with significant modifications.

As part of the plan, the existing concrete curb and guide rail median will be replaced with five-foot-wide shoulders and a concrete median barrier. Most connections between Route 1 and local roads via the service roads will be eliminated.

“Only portions of the service routes needed for direct property owner access or driveways directly connecting to the service road will be maintained,” explained Jared Patrick, the lead engineer for the project.

A recent copy of the Route 1 plans. Credit: PennDOT

To preserve local access, two new interchanges are proposed: one at the south end near Highland Avenue and Old Lincoln Highway, and a partial cloverleaf interchange at Pine Street (Route 413).

The project also involves replacing four bridges: the Route 1 bridge over Highland Avenue, and the overpasses carrying West Interchange Road, Pine Street, and Corn Crib Lane over the highway. All four will have increased vertical clearance.

Pedestrian and bicycle enhancements are included in the design, with new sidewalks planned from the Neshaminy High School entrance along Old Lincoln Highway and Highland Avenue. A 10-foot-wide side path is proposed along the northbound side of Route 413, and a potential shared-use path could replace removed service roads.

Traffic calming measures are under consideration for Pine Street and Gilliam Avenue, including a roundabout at the intersection of West Highland Avenue, Bellevue Avenue, and Pine Street, and a mini-roundabout at Bellevue Avenue and Gilliam Avenue, officials said.

Residents in Langhorne Borough and Langhorne Manor Borough have expressed concerns regarding the removal of most service roads, the addition of the new Pine Street interchange, and potential traffic increases on local roads.

A view of Route 1 in Middletown Township. Credit: PennDOT

Many residents voiced concerns about potential increases in traffic on local roads, including on Gilliam Avenue and West Highland Avenue, following the removal of the service roads.

Bo Smith, a lead traffic engineer, acknowledged some traffic increases on local roads.

“In the AM peak hour, traffic is projected to be a 29 percent increase and the PM would see a 17 percent increase” on Gilliam Avenue, he said.

However, Smith stated that their traffic analysis indicates minimal overall impact.

“The updated study found similar results to our 2021 study. The new study found no substantial change to the operational and safety findings of the 2021 study,” he said.

Regarding concerns about increased congestion at the intersection of Pine Street and Maple Avenue, Smith said: “Currently the intersection is projected, if we wouldn’t build the project, to be a 31-second delay per car. And with the project, it would be 32 seconds in the PM. So it’s really a one-second difference.”

Environmental studies are ongoing, assessing streams, wetlands, floodplains, cultural resources, and traffic noise. The environmental assessment document is expected to be published for public review in fall 2025.

“After that, a public hearing … will likely occur in the fall of 2025 or early winter of 2026,” said the project’s environmental manager.

Route 1 traffic in Langhorne during a 2014 storm.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

An environmental assessment decision is anticipated by summer 2026.

The project timeline extends several years.

If the environmental assessment is approved, final design and right-of-way acquisition would begin in early 2027 and take approximately 18 months to two years.

“Based on an environmental decision in summer 2026 and final design and right-of-way acquisition taking approximately 24 months to complete, we would anticipate construction to begin in 2029,” Yerges said.

Construction is expected to last three years, with completion around 2031, Yerges told the public.

PennDOT officials said that the project is still in the preliminary engineering phase, and details are subject to change based on the environmental assessment and public feedback.

The public can provide feedback on the upcoming Section RC 3 project in the coming weeks via an online comment form.

For more information on the project, visit PennDOT’s website.

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