Question 1

The meeting explained why the improvements to Route 1 are important (I agree. those cement islands provide no shoulder, etc.), but there was no explanation why the interchange was needed. The assertion that there will be lessened traffic on 413 (with a small increase on Maple Avenue (213) is preposterous). The traffic study already documented the amount of traffic on 413. How could adding an interchange not have an impact of more traffic. This claim defies any common sense, especially if you propose to eliminate the other exits (e.g. Highland Ave) on Route 1. The talk also ignored the documented threats to public health to residents along 413 that was in the traffic study. Of course, the talk said there would be minimal effects (one second delay, etc.) yet why discuss the eventual extra lane both ways on 413 if that is the case? That extra lane brings the public health concerns raised in the traffic study (documented by peer reviewed journals in the public health field) back to the forefront.

Sean Bergmaier · Accepted Answer

The proposed interchanges (one at Highland Avenue and one at PA 413) are necessary to retain access to the adjacent residential areas and Neshaminy High School in the southern portion of the project corridor and the residential areas and the State-owned roadways (PA 413 and PA 213) in the northern portion of the project corridor.  In the proposed condition, the service roads will no longer provide access between US 1 and the adjacent side street network.  In the existing configuration, the service roads in conjunction with Bellevue Avenue act as a de facto interchange. 

From US 1 SB, traffic proceeds along Bellevue northward into Langhorne Borough onto PA 213 (Maple Avenue) or from Gillam Avenue onto PA 413 (Pine Street) to continue northward to Newtown.  In the proposed condition, this same traffic will exit via the proposed interchange onto PA 413 (Pine Street) and then proceed northward through the Borough to get to Newtown.  Those exiting US 1 in the existing conditions at both the current PA 413 (Pine Street) de facto interchange and at the PA 213 (Maple Avenue) interchange proceeding toward Langhorne Borough either have destinations in Langhorne or Langhorne Manor Boroughs or are proceeding through to Newtown Borough based on origin-destination studies performed by the design team. 

This will not change with the formalization of the PA 413 (Pine Street) interchange.  The additional lanes along PA 413 (Pine Street) are only necessary in the future and are only to accommodate queuing within the interchange itself.  The additional lanes are unrelated to traffic volumes along PA 413 (Pine Street) outside of the limits of the interchange ramps.  Therefore, no additional lanes are being proposed north of the proposed ramp intersections except to merge traffic back down to one lane south of the Flowers Avenue intersection.  The project proposes traffic calming and pedestrian crossing improvements from the Flowers Avenue intersection north to the PA 213 (Maple Avenue) intersection along PA 413 (Pine Street) to improve pedestrian safety.

Question 2

The meeting explained why the improvements to Route 1 are important (I agree. those cement islands provide no shoulder, etc.), but there was no explanation why the interchange was needed. The assertion that there will be lessened traffic on 413 (with a small increase on Maple Avenue (213) is preposterous). The traffic study already documented the amount of traffic on 413. How could adding an interchange not have an impact of more traffic. This claim defies any common sense, especially if you propose to eliminate the other exits (e.g. Highland Ave) on Route 1. The talk also ignored the documented threats to public health to residents along 413 that was in the traffic study. Of course, the talk said there would be minimal effects (one second delay, etc.) yet why discuss the eventual extra lane both ways on 413 if that is the case? That extra lane brings the public health concerns raised in the traffic study (documented by peer reviewed journals in the public health field) back to the forefront.

Sean Bergmaier · Accepted Answer

The proposed interchanges (one at Highland Avenue and one at PA 413) are necessary to retain access to the adjacent residential areas and Neshaminy High School in the southern portion of the project corridor and the residential areas and the State-owned roadways (PA 413 and PA 213) in the northern portion of the project corridor.  In the proposed condition, the service roads will no longer provide access between US 1 and the adjacent side street network.  In the existing configuration, the service roads in conjunction with Bellevue Avenue act as a de facto interchange. 

From US 1 SB, traffic proceeds along Bellevue northward into Langhorne Borough onto PA 213 (Maple Avenue) or from Gillam Avenue onto PA 413 (Pine Street) to continue northward to Newtown.  In the proposed condition, this same traffic will exit via the proposed interchange onto PA 413 (Pine Street) and then proceed northward through the Borough to get to Newtown.  Those exiting US 1 in the existing conditions at both the current PA 413 (Pine Street) de facto interchange and at the PA 213 (Maple Avenue) interchange proceeding toward Langhorne Borough either have destinations in Langhorne or Langhorne Manor Boroughs or are proceeding through to Newtown Borough based on origin-destination studies performed by the design team. 

This will not change with the formalization of the PA 413 (Pine Street) interchange.  The additional lanes along PA 413 (Pine Street) are only necessary in the future and are only to accommodate queuing within the interchange itself.  The additional lanes are unrelated to traffic volumes along PA 413 (Pine Street) outside of the limits of the interchange ramps.  Therefore, no additional lanes are being proposed north of the proposed ramp intersections except to merge traffic back down to one lane south of the Flowers Avenue intersection.  The project proposes traffic calming and pedestrian crossing improvements from the Flowers Avenue intersection north to the PA 213 (Maple Avenue) intersection along PA 413 (Pine Street) to improve pedestrian safety.