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Residents urge Haverford Township to fix dangerous Manoa–Farwood intersection
Summary
Neighbors representing more than 200 residents urged the board to address safety problems at the Manoa and Farwood Roads intersection, proposing a sidewalk/crosswalk, moving a no‑parking sign and lowering the speed limit to 25 mph; township staff will coordinate an engineering review with PennDOT.
Cheryl Wu, a Ward 8 resident, told the Haverford Township Board of Commissioners on July 13 that more than 200 residents signed a petition seeking safety improvements at the Manoa and Farwood Roads intersection.
Wu described obstructed sight lines created by acute angles and rapid elevation changes and proposed three measures: construct a small sidewalk and crosswalk with a crossing sign in the unused roadway area to provide a safe waiting zone and naturally calm turning traffic; move the no‑parking‑at‑corner sign east so parked cars do not block visibility; and lower the speed limit on Manoa from 35 to 25 mph between Arlington and Haverford Road. Wu said the intersection connects Carroll Park to walkable neighborhoods and a nearby high‑speed‑rail (Penfield) station and that pedestrian traffic has increased in recent years.
Paul Parashak, who lives at the foot of Farwood Road, described near misses he has witnessed daily and said increased pedestrian traffic from Sunday park closures and rising SEPTA ridership make the intersection ‘‘approaching a dangerous climax.’’ Other residents who spoke during the continuation of the citizens forum echoed those concerns and offered targeted suggestions such as trimming trees, relocating signage and reconsidering the no‑parking zone.
Township staff and commissioners acknowledged the concerns. A commissioner (who spoke from the dais) said she has brought residents’ concerns to the police and township staff and will continue to work with them; the township solicitor noted that some traffic measures and tests are administrative but that the board approves formal changes if required. The transcript records the request that staff coordinate with PennDOT and the township engineer to study potential fixes and return recommendations to the board.
What happens next: Residents were asked to remain engaged and the commissioner leading follow‑up said she will convene additional conversations with engineering staff and the police department to evaluate the petition’s recommendations, and to report back to the board.
