Traffic concerns and road safety were themes of several discussions at Monday’s Hilltown Board of Supervisors meeting.
Police Chief Christopher Engelhart told supervisors that, as requested following resident concerns about fast-driving vehicles, a speed study was performed on Moyer Road.
As a result of the study, Engelhart suggested that the speed limit be set at 35 mph and that signs be posted saying so. Supervisors authorized crafting an ordinance that would legally establish that limit.
Meanwhile, there was also talk of potential traffic-calming measures for the intersection of Minsi Trail and Route 113, the site of frequent accidents.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is reportedly considering building a roundabout at the intersection to make it safer — a project that could go out to bid as early as spring 2025, according to a PennDOT brief on the project.
Still, supervisors say they aren’t just sitting by banking on that to happen.
Developer Toll Bros., through an agreement with the township tied to a development it built locally, is required to perform an analysis and get the necessary documents together for building a formal application that the township could submit to PennDOT for a permit to install a traffic signal at the intersection.
Supervisors okayed having Toll Bros. move forward with compiling what PennDOT needs for the permit application.
Just what traffic-calming measure, if any, will end up at the intersection is uncertain, but township officials are adamant that something is needed.
“We’re anxious to hear something from PennDOT,” said Hilltown Supervisor Chairman Caleb Torrice.
Meanwhile, PennDOT’s Route 309 Connector project — a three-phase road construction initiative aimed at improving vehicle flow/connectivity along a heavily traveled five-mile corridor between Sumneytown Pike, just north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Lansdale Interchange, and Route 309 — came up again.
The third phase of the project, which will most directly impact Hilltown and which hasn’t begun yet, has residents raising concerns about vexing traffic jams, an influx of speeding vehicles and disruption to quality of life and business.
Supervisor Jim Groff said the board has authorized the township engineer to study the project for particular impacts and how to potentially minimize them. More information is needed from outside agencies and the township is working to get that information expediently, Groff said.
The township is also speaking with elected officials — state Rep. Shelby Labs and state Sen. Jarrett Coleman — to ensure they know the concerns of locals.
“It’s really critical that we’re in sync with our statewide leadership,” said Supervisor Joseph Metzinger.
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