PennDOT Briefs Senator On Road Projects In Upper Makefield

UPPER MAKEFIELD, PA — Big news is on the horizon for two major roadways in Upper Makefield and a flood-prone section of River Road.

During a summer road tour of the 10th Senatorial district, State Sen. Steve Santarsiero stopped at Francisco’s On The River in Upper Makefield where he joined PennDOT District 6 leaders and Upper Makefield officials.

They were there to discuss a flood-prone section of River Road between the restaurant and Jonathan Way.

The major drainage issue is expected to be addressed sometime next year with the installation of inlets and piping to divert the excess water to the river, the Senator learned from PennDOT.

PennDOT is currently working to get all the agencies and impacted property owners to sign off on the plan. Once that is done, they will be moving forward with the project.

Police are forced to close that section of roadway after almost every heavy rain storm due to flooding, impacting the restaurant and local residents.

State Senator Steve Santarsiero updates the owner of Francisco's On The River on a planned drainage project just north of the restaurant on River Road. The restaurant has been impacted by numerous closures of River Road by repeated flooding. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Township officials also learned that the entire length of Route 32 is scheduled to be milled and paved between now and next spring.

Paving crews are in Solebury right now and are working their way south toward Upper Makefield, according to the senator.

Also on the schedule for milling and repaving next spring is Route 532 from the Washington Crossing Bridge to Newtown Township.

Township officials spoke briefly to PennDOT about the impact the paving projects will have on the intersection of Routes 32 and 532 in the heart of the village.

With the paving projects happening at two separate times, Supervisor Yvette Taylor asked PennDOT about the consistency - the look of the intersection - between the two projects.

According to PennDOT, the two projects will be taking place in close proximity with a short time frame between the two. When the intersection is paved, the decorative crosswalks will be taken out.

“We are looking at grants to redo the brick. We want it to look real nice for the 250th year celebration,” said Taylor.

The senator’s road tour also included stops in Falls Township, Morrisville Borough, Buckingham Township and Doylestown Borough to discuss high-priority repairs and improvements.

Yvette Taylor, who chairs the Upper Makefield Board of Supervisors, talks with PennDOT officials from District 6 about paving plans for Routes 32 and 532. (Photo by Jeff Werner)