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Horsham and Upper Moreland officials outline multi‑phase Blair Mill Road widening; residents warn of detours and safety concerns
Summary
Horsham Township and Michael Baker International updated the committee on a three‑phase Blair Mill Road project that will create a continuous five‑lane section; phase two (intersection work) nears final paving, while phase three requires right‑of‑way acquisition and utility relocations and is likely to begin construction next year, prompting resident questions about detours, driveway access and pedestrian crossings.
Horsham Township Manager Bill Walker and consultants from Michael Baker International presented a status update on Blair Mill Road improvements affecting Upper Moreland, explaining a three‑phase program of work intended to create a continuous five‑lane roadway between Welsh Road and Eastern Road.
Eric Ferrari of Michael Baker described progress on phase two — a complex intersection reconstruction at Whitmer, Commerce and Blair Mill that includes major drainage work and utility pole relocations. Ferrari said the contractor expects substantial completion of the intersection later in spring with final closeout this summer, and warned there will be lane closures and short detours during final paving. "We do expect financial or substantial completion sometime later this spring and final close out this summer," Ferrari said.
Phase three will require extensive right‑of‑way acquisition, test pits and utility coordination; project leaders said those tasks are on the schedule through the fall and that construction is likely to be advertised for bid late this year or early next year, with utility relocation work extending the timeline. Horsham officials highlighted pedestrian improvements — sidewalks or wide trail segments and pedestrian lighting — across most of the corridor and said they are coordinating with cross‑county trail planning.
Residents asked detailed questions about detour routing, driveway restoration, temporary conditions that have left some driveways difficult to use, and traffic spillover into neighborhoods. Horsham and Upper Moreland staff said they would provide detour plans to neighborhood leaders, verify driveway repairs with the contractor and coordinate police patrols and pedestrian safety measures during construction.
