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Bensalem mayor and township executive outline multi‑million drainage, paving and aerial‑mapping program
Summary
On the Mayor's show, the mayor and Executive Director John Chaitowski reviewed recent drainage and paving work—saying the township spent over $10 million on drainage projects and about $7.2 million on paving (2021–2025)—and described a $350,000 aerial mapping study to guide future repairs.
The mayor and John Chaitowski, the township's executive director, said Bensalem has recently completed multiple drainage projects and is planning further work to reduce flooding across low‑lying neighborhoods.
John Chaitowski said, “These drainage projects have cost, over $10,000,000,” and identified Glendale Drive as a location where residents were losing vehicles and personal belongings to floodwaters. He said some projects involved deep piping—“in some areas, the pipes were over 15 feet deep” on Pascaline Boulevard—and that the Pascaline project is about 99% complete. The mayor confirmed that the Pascaline costs were included in the multi‑million total.
The township described work on Hugo Road and on a nearby golf course where crews installed swales and other measures intended to keep runoff on the course and out of adjacent streets such as Humboldt Road and Woodbine. "Every so often, you have one of those hundred year storms," the mayor said, adding that the course interventions are intended to prevent house flooding during extreme events.
Officials said they secured easements and completed piping work near Columbus Country Club and installed a "duck bill" on an outfall to prevent tidal backflow during high water. John said the township has also obtained an easement near the Waterside community and is identifying a contractor to install drainage there.
On paving, Chaitowski said the township spent an estimated $7,200,000 on paving across three repaving cycles from 2021 through 2025 and that the township is on its third round of repaving contracts. The mayor said he restructured roads when he took office and referenced a previous $17,000,000 investment in drainage and roads during his tenure.
The mayor and Chaitowski described an aerial mapping "flyover" done by HRG during the previous winter. The mayor said, "That particular thing cost us $350,000," and both officials said the high‑resolution contour mapping will help prioritize projects and be reflected in the 2026 budget.
Officials said the township is coordinating with PennDOT on State Road—PennDOT has plans to repave and add drainage basins but has not set a timetable—and that the township has worked to secure easements to complement the state work. The mayor said the drawings are complete and the state must add the project to its funding schedule in Harrisburg.
The mayor closed by thanking staff and reminding residents that Chaitowski is available to answer questions about ongoing and planned work.
