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Supervisors authorize filing declaration of taking to acquire land for Buttonwin Lane bridge replacement
Summary
The board approved Ordinance 219-2025 to file a declaration of taking to acquire permanent right-of-way (4,244 sq ft) and a temporary construction easement (5,110 sq ft) for the Buttonwin Lane bridge replacement project; appraisal estimated owner damages at $12,235.
West Vincent Township supervisors voted to authorize filing a declaration of taking to acquire the land needed to build a replacement bridge over Birch Run on Buttonwin Lane.
Staff said the replacement will be built next to the existing structure and that the project has an 80% grant covering the work; the new permanent right-of-way required is 4,244 square feet (about 0.097 acres) and the temporary construction easement is 5,110 square feet (about 0.17 acres). An appraisal produced an estimated payment to the property owner of $12,235.
The ordinance (219-2025) authorizes township staff to file the court pleading called a declaration of taking in the Chester County Court of Common Pleas, which begins the condemnation process so the township can proceed with the bridge project on schedule. Staff indicated the township would advertise for bids in late December, with a construction schedule of approximately 280 days once a contractor is selected.
Board members asked about compensation, temporary easements and whether the old bridge would be removed; staff said compensation will be determined through the appraisal and court process, temporary easements expire after construction, and the old bridge will be removed after the new bridge is functional.
Next steps: staff will file the declaration in court, move the project to bidding late December, and proceed with construction according to the advertised timeline.
