Plans for the Golden Pheasant bridge’s future came under discussion once again Sept. 20 as PennDOT provided the Tinicum Township Board of supervisors with formal notification of a virtual National Historic Preservation (Section 106) hearing, to be held on Oct 20..
The Section 106 process seeks to accommodate historic preservation concerns through consultation among agency officials and all interested parties, roundly reviewing the effects of the undertaking on historic properties.
Resident Cindi Gasparre requested the board share its current opinions on the six bridge design options currently on the table. Manager Teri Lewis stated she had reached out to PennDOT for clarification on the nature of the meeting. “It is meant to discuss all the options with an in-depth explanation of each one. It is too early for us to make a decision on preference.”
There was considerable community pushback pressing the board to take an early stand in this matter – armed with community feedback. Gasparre said further, “We know by the point PennDOT makes their decisions it’s too late for us to voice our concerns or to make meaningful changes. We do not want to play catchup in this process – rather, we request the board reach out now for the community’s input.”
Vice Chair Jim Helms countered, “We will not be putting forth any decisions at the Oct. 20 meeting. We first need to have Section 106 historical conversations about this bridge.”
Member Eleanor Breslin clarified that she and the community were not seeking specific opinions from the board at this time. Rather, she stated if the township attends this meeting without being informed with community feedback, this would only allow for “another back-and-forth on PennDOT’s opinions. I’d rather try to avoid a meaningless exercise.”
Resident Sue Walsh concurred. “Rather than listening to what PennDOT has to say, which is what we always do, we should come to this meeting with an established Tinicum Township position that incorporates our opinions.”
Residents stressed the importance of the township’s taking a more proactive posture in approaching this bridge issue. The Golden Pheasant Inn, (situated adjacent to the bridge) has a narrow parking strip situated just off River Road. Its handicap parking area sits at the closest juncture to the bridge’s entrance. Many at the meeting felt PennDOT tends to make the narrowest project decisions possible in order to protect the investments it has already made.
Breslin again queried, “So, will the Township put a process in place to gain community consensus prior to this meeting?”
Dr. Richard Balukas, who attended the meeting via Zoom, commented afterwards stating, “What PennDOT chooses to do with this bridge, at a major River Road intersection, holds the potential to significantly alter the historical significance, traffic flow, and quality of life in the township. As this project takes its course over the next several years, the Tinicum Board of Supervisors has a distinct responsibility to ensure that they take a clear position with PennDOT, helping to ensure the quality of life in our township will continue to be protected”
Vice Chair James Helms inquired how Breslin proposed the board solicit community responses. She laid out a plan. “We can place a form on our existing website encouraging opinions and concerns through a unique email address link that will capture resident names and comments. Also, we can use our website to better describe the Section 106 process.”
Shortly after the board meeting, the following notice and e-mail address was posted on the Tinicum Township website landing page:
“If you are a resident and would like to let the board know your opinion/concerns [on the Golden Pheasant Bridge project], please send an email with your name, address and phone number to goldenpheasantbridge@tinicumbucks.org prior to Monday, Oct. 17.
”Please note: Emails without name, address and phone number will not be accepted.”
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