Middletown Supervisors Move To Increase Speed Limit, Add Stop Signs

Nearly 15 years after officials lowered the speed limit on Big Oak Road due to the roadway being in poor condition, the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors is moving to raise it again.

The supervisors voted last week to authorize the advertisement of an ordinance that would increase the speed limit from 25 mph to 35 mph on the roadway.

The stretch of road, which runs between Woodbourne Road and the Lower Makefield Township border at Township Line Road, saw its speed limit slashed 14 years ago.

At the time, the roadway was plagued by potholes and poor conditions, making higher speeds a safety hazard. The road was repaved several years ago.

Assistant Township Manager Nick Valla noted that the circumstances justifying the original reduction have since changed, because the road has been repaired and repaved.

“At that time it was seen as a safety issue, which was the justification at the time for reducing the speed limit that has since changed,” Valla said.

The proposal follows a December 2025 reviewed conducted by the township’s traffic engineer.

While the analysis suggested the roadway could technically support a 45 mph limit, engineers recommended a more conservative 35 mph cap after reviewing the crash history, Valla said.

The township traffic commission endorsed the change, pointing out that the limit was historically 35 mph before the reduction.

Beyond engineering data, Valla said the move was prompted by resident complaints.

Some drivers reported being “incessantly beeped at” by other motorists for adhering to the current 25 mph limit, Valla reported.

“This is a bit of an unusual request,” Valla admitted, noting that municipalities more commonly face pressure to lower speed limits rather than raise them.

In separate business, the supervisors voted to advertise the installation of new stop signs at two intersections in the Langhorne Gables neighborhood. The new signs are proposed for Flame Drive at its intersection with Fir Avenue, and Elisa Lynn Way at its intersection with Fir Avenue.