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Lower Pottsgrove advances road studies and public‑safety preparations as calls and traffic pressures rise
Summary
Manager and staff reported PennDOT will re‑study the East High Street/Sanatoga Road intersection; Sanatoga and Rhoads roads will close July 15 for ~90 days for culvert work; police and fire officials reported rising calls and the township is preparing a municipal radio system and other emergency management plans.
Township staff and public‑safety officials reported several transportation and emergency‑services developments at the July 1 Lower Pottsgrove board meeting.
Manager Edward C. Wagner said he contacted Senator Tracy Pennycuick’s office to request PennDOT re‑study the intersection of East High Street and Sanatoga Road after an increase in accidents. PennDOT agreed to another study but told the township it would be responsible for signal costs if the study supports a traffic light. Wagner said he has identified developers interested in helping fund the study and that township and Limerick officials will have a joint meeting with PennDOT to explore options for improving the Route 422 eastbound ramp.
Wagner also warned that New Hanover Township utility projects will close Sanatoga Road and Rhoads Road beginning July 15 for culvert replacement work expected to last about 90 days, which may increase traffic on nearby roads. Public Works Director Shane Hosier said paving is scheduled to begin July 8 on Mervine Street and then continue to Randy Drive, Gresh Drive, South Sunnybrook Road and First Avenue; crews also replaced manhole castings and continue routine maintenance.
On public safety, Police Chief Richard Bell reported 1,258 calls for service in June, including 129 traffic citations and two DUI arrests; he noted the new reporting system records arrests when charges are filed with district court. Fire Marshal Lew Babel and Fire Chief/Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Linsenbigler said fire calls this year have outpaced last year (Sanatoga ~50 calls ahead; Ringing Hill ~60 calls ahead) and include mutual‑aid requests inland from the township. Commissioners and emergency management staff said they are updating emergency plans, coordinating county review and preparing an order for a municipal radio system; they expect installation and deployment to take months.
Engineer Jim McCarthy reported progress on the Snell Road Bridge structural designs and resubmitted designs for the North Adams Street Bridge to PennDOT; reimbursements for the Pruss Hill Bridge project were received. In sewer work, approximately 1,845 linear feet of sewer main relining on North Keim Street was completed last month with measurable decreases in flows.
Next steps: PennDOT study results and the joint meeting on Route 422 will determine further design or funding requirements; the township will proceed with paving, bridge fabrication and sewer project bidding as scheduled.
