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.
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.
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
Represented at the meeting was Senator Tomlinson's office, State Representative Tina Davis' office, Middletown Township and Bristol Township officials as well as a spokesperson for PennDOT. The most discussed safety option was in fact the possibility of and the requirements necessary to have sidewalks installed along New Falls Road. Per PennDOT representative, the first step in this process was to determine the amount of land alongside the roadway that belonged to PennDOT as opposed to the Townships or their residents. It was stated that once PennDOT had determined their legal boundary, it would be easy for PennDOT to determine if there was any encroachment by the residents. If so, letters would be sent by PennDOT indicating such and placing a time period in which the encroachment had to be removed. If in fact the encroachment was not rectified within the specified time period, then PennDOT would take the necessary steps to remove whatever items or structures remained on their property. Brush and trees ismall and mature, the Township offered to remove all that was necessary as indicated by the engineering requirements for the installation of sidewalks. Necessary for the preparation and eventual installation of sidewalks.
So at this point, it would appear that the bottom line cost to consider starting the project is $175,000.00 and it will potentially rise rapidly depending on several factors that have yet to be determined. It was suggested by a Bristol Township Official that Township fundraisers could generate significant funds that could be applied toward these costs. It was also suggested that the Township itself might help promote these fundraisers and other activities that would support this worthy endeavor.
God Bless and thank you for the support