Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Road And Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bridge repairs, sewer work and Route 422 construction create closures and enforcement challenges in Lower Pottsgrove
Summary
Township officials warned Jan. 6 that a three-day Armand Hammer Boulevard closure for sewer main work and repairs to the Sunnybrook Road bridge will affect traffic; Chief Richard Bell said lane and shoulder constraints from ongoing Route 422 construction are limiting effective speed enforcement.
Lower Pottsgrove Township officials on Jan. 6 told the Board of Commissioners about a planned three-day closure of Armand Hammer Boulevard next week for a Pottstown sewer main replacement and said repairs are needed on the Sunnybrook Road bridge on East High Street.
Township Manager Edward C. Wagner said the Armand Hammer Boulevard closure (between East High Street and Cherry Lane) will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for three days and that traffic will be detoured down Moser Road; he said signage and flaggers will be used and traffic to Pottstown Hospital will be permitted through. Wagner also said portions of the Sunnybrook Road bridge require replacement of a westbound lane and repair of a stone arch and a bulging wall; he estimated the repairs could take 30 to 60 days but gave no firm start date.
Chief Richard Bell told commissioners that construction on US Route 422 — a multi-year effort covering about 1.7 miles and two bridges with an $83.6 million contract — has increased local traffic as drivers try to bypass the work, producing backups on High Street and other local roads. "There is nowhere to sit for effective speed enforcement," Bell said, adding the department has reached out to Representative Joe Ciresi for assistance and will explore contacting State Police for additional enforcement. He said reduced posted limits also restrict the use of certain speed-timing devices.
Commissioners discussed possible enforcement and legislative options. Commissioner William Keohane said he would raise ideas at Representative Ciresi's swearing-in ceremony and Chief Bell agreed to follow up. Manager Wagner noted prior local speed enforcement often used a chaser car at South Pleasantview Road and South Park Road and said he would support exploring options with State Police.
The board heard the updates as part of the manager's and emergency management reports; no formal action was taken at the Jan. 6 meeting.
