Speed Limit Reductions Coming To Two Busy Streets In Newtown Township

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Speed limit reductions are coming to two busy stretches of highway in Newtown Township, both aimed at improving pedestrian safety.

The first, unanimously approved Wednesday night by the board of supervisors, will lower the speed limit from 35 to 25 mph on the Newtown-Yardley Road between the Newtown Borough line at Washington Avenue and Lower Dolington Road.

The speed reduction is part of a broader effort to improve safety at a pedestrian crossing at Tara Boulevard and the Newtown-Yardley Road at the Newtown Walk development.

The crosswalk is heavily used by the residents of Newtown Walk to access the Newtown Trail on the south side of the Newtown-Yardley Road, but a ramp up in the speed limit as traffic leaves the borough coupled with sun glare makes using the crossing particularly harrowing. The trail provides pedestrian access to downtown Newtown Borough.

Residents from Newtown Walk lobbied successfully for the speed limit reduction.

In addition, the township will be installing an overhead pulsating beacon to alert motorists when someone is using the crosswalk.

The other reduction in speed is coming to the busy north Sycamore Street corridor, which has been the site of numerous pedestrian accidents and fatalities.

The supervisors are expected to approve the change in speed limit from 35 to 25 mph between Durham Road and Washington Avenue at its next meeting in February.

Once the speed limit is lowered, the township may consider additional traffic calming measures, including speed humps and speed tables.

The reduction in speed is part of a multi-pronged approach that the township is taking to improve pedestrian safety throughout the commercial corridor.

The township has already added new signage, repainted crosswalks, improved sight distance and added new striping.

Also in the works is an overhead beacon at Sycamore Street and Silo Drive to warn motorists when pedestrians are crossing the road.

In other business at the Jan. 25 board meeting, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a three year contract with its non-uniform employees.

The agreement, with CWA Local 13000, covers 22 township employees including its public works and administrative office staff.

The contract, ratified by the union, includes a three percent wage increase, a revised vacation schedule, COVID 19 protections and a memorandum of understanding that will eliminate a custodial position when the current employee retires.