Narberth council authorizes bids for stormwater bump‑outs on Dudley, Conway and Grayling avenues

Narberth Borough Council on June 5 authorized the borough to advertise for bids to construct stormwater “bump‑outs” at Dudley and Stewart Avenue, Conway and Stewart Avenue, and Grayling and Windsor Avenue. Borough staff said the locations were selected for their runoff capture potential and other site constraints.

Why it matters: The bump‑outs are intended to increase local stormwater capture and reduce untreated runoff to Indian Creek, part of the borough’s MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) compliance work. Council and staff noted the improvements are required under current stormwater program obligations and that incremental projects are needed to show regulatory progress.

What the council approved Council authorized advertisement for bids on a package of stormwater bump‑outs. Staff presented a final plan set and said the engineering bid package would be posted the week after the work session, with bid award expected in time for the July business meeting.

Selection, neighbors and design changes Staff said the four locations were chosen based on measured runoff volumes, utility constraints and constructability. After neighbor outreach, plans for Grayling were scaled back: full‑size bump‑outs originally proposed were reduced in length to take fewer parking spaces following resident feedback. Staff also said Conway and Dudley will receive full‑size bump‑outs.

Funding and benefits - Staff said two Grayling bump‑outs are substantially covered by external grant funding; staff cited about $66,000 in grant funds tied to those locations and an in‑kind engineering contribution of roughly $6,200 for design/engineering costs. - Borough officials said the selected Grayling locations have among the highest capture rates identified in the borough’s stormwater analysis and that the projects will make significant contributions toward MS4 requirements.

Public‑safety and traffic considerations Council discussed the interactions between bump‑outs and vehicle turning radii. Public works noted that bump‑outs placed at certain intersections could impede emergency vehicles if placed incorrectly; staff recommended considering painted or visual treatments or separate pedestrian‑safety projects if crosswalk shortening is desired.

Vote and next steps Council moved to authorize the advertisement for bids; the motion passed and staff will post the bid package, pursue procurement and return with an award recommendation at the July business meeting.

Quotations in context Staff described the sites as those with the “biggest … amount of runoff” and said public outreach led to design adjustments to reduce parking impacts. Council members emphasized the need to show “incremental progress” on stormwater compliance and noted that several locations are partly grant funded.