East Whiteland advances Sidley Road–Mill Lane trail design and authorizes easement appraisals for Phoenixville Pike intersection work

The East Whiteland Board of Supervisors on March 12 received a mid-design briefing for a 0.75-mile shared-use trail to connect the Sidley/Ashlawn area to the Chester Valley Trail and authorized appraisals and potential condemnation filings to secure temporary easements for intersection improvements on Phoenixville Pike.

Assistant Township Manager Catherine Ricardo introduced Michael Baker International consultant Chris Stanford, who said the project includes a 10-foot paved shared-use path (on the alignment of an existing mulch trail), new crosswalks and ADA ramps, a new crosswalk at the St. Gobain driveway, signal upgrades at Mill Lane/SR 401 for pedestrians and bicyclists, root-protection measures, minor curb adjustments, and a bridge evaluation over Valley Creek. Stanford said the design is approximately 50% complete and estimated PennDOT environmental approval and any necessary DEP permits by late 2025 to early 2026, with final plans expected in early 2026 and construction starting in fall 2026.

Resident concerns about tree removals and traffic calming surfaced during the presentation. Mr. Lutz asked how many trees would be lost in the buffer; Stanford estimated about "half a dozen." Mr. Lutz also suggested stronger traffic calming than a push-button crosswalk and urged attention to existing screening that has not been maintained. Director of Public Works John Neild and Assistant Manager Ricardo said the chosen approach seeks to avoid impacts to trees where possible and that staff will follow up with the project traffic engineer about calming measures; Police Chief Chris Yeager said he agreed with the resident's concerns.

Separately, the Board voted to authorize the Township Solicitor to obtain appraisals and, if necessary, file condemnation proceedings for temporary easements at 286 and 288 Phoenixville Pike to facilitate Sidley/Phoenixville Pike intersection improvements. The motion, made by Supervisor Peter Fixler and seconded by Rich Orlow, passed unanimously. Solicitor Bernadette Kearney said staff would attempt one more outreach to the property owners before initiating condemnation.

The presentation notes a number of next steps: approve RRFB and signal modification plans, complete an underwater inspection of the Mill Lane bridge over Valley Creek, continue PennDOT environmental clearance and utility coordination, and pursue any required PennDOT, Chester County Conservation District, and DEP permits. Estimated project funding connections include a township match requirement for a Green Light Go application (project cost cited at $240,000 with a 20% match of $48,000) and federal funding requests previously discussed by township officials.

The Board did not set a near-term formal vote on final trail plans but approved moving forward with the required right-of-way work to keep intersection and trail timelines on track.