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Politics & Government

PennDOT to Reclaim Land Along New Falls Road

As part of a quest to add sidewalks along New Falls Road, PennDOT will be reclaiming its right-of-way land in Bristol and Middletown townships.

It’s not sidewalks, yet, but it’s a step closer.

Officials from Bristol Township, Middletown, and state met Thursday at the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority headquarters off Green Lane to talk about adding sidewalks to New Falls Road in Levittown.

Officials agreed to begin work to reclaim PennDOT owned right-of-ways and clear brush from the sides of the roadway from Veterans Highway (Route 413) to Bristol-Oxford Valley Road.

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The cleared brush will allow pedestrians a clear path to walk on the embankment that sits on both sides of the road. Local officials hope that the clearing will eventually lead to the installation of sidewalks.

PennDOT will begin surveys in the coming weeks to confirm its right-of-way along the busy road.

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Click here to see the Sidewalks for New Falls Road Facebook page

Homeowners whose fences and sheds have been placed on the state right-of-way will receive letters and will be given a period of time to remove or relocate their items. If not, crews will remove them, PennDOT’s county maintenance manager Cal Morrison said.

While government could not pledge the funds to building sidewalks, fundraising was suggested. Middletown manager Stephanie Teoli and Bristol Township councilman Craig Bowen said they would help promote fundraising efforts.

Officials talked about adding a walkway similar to that along New Falls Road near the Red Cedar and Appletree section. State Senator Tommy Tomlinson's district director, Al Sutter said sidewalks or walking paths may be a bit down the line.

Sharon Rearick has been leading the charge to install sidewalks along New Falls Road since her son was killed along the roadway in Middletown last July. Her son, John, was killed across from the Penn Jersey Auto Store last July after a driver struck him and fled the scene.

The driver, Jonathan H. Simmons, 27, of Bristol Township, was sentenced to 15 to 30 months in prison on Wednesday.

Rearick believes her son would still be alive if he had sidewalks to use as he traveled home.

“This isn’t about my son anymore, it’s about the safety of the community, that’s why this needs to get done. I won’t stop till that happens, the communities safety is at risk,” Rearick told Patch in October.

Previous stories:

  • Levittown Man Critically Injured In Hit-And-Run Accident
  • Middletown Hit-and-Run Victim Dies
  • Driver in Fatal Hit-and-Run Turns Himself In
  • Mother of Son Killed on New Falls Road Wants Action
  • Officials Meet to Lay Groundwork for New Falls Road Sidewalks
  • Hit-and-Run Driver That Struck JJ Rearick Pleads Guilty
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