State Senator Tours Damaged Roads In Lower Bucks County

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA —State Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and PennDOT officials hit the road in the 10th Senate District recently to announce planned roadway repair projects, and highlight much-needed improvements.

The senator's annual road tour carried a little more significance this year after flash flooding from a fast-moving July 15 storm claimed the lives of seven people in Upper Makefield Township and also left homes and roads damaged in Lower Makefield Township.

Lower Makefield Township residents have complained to officials about a long-term solution for Taylorsville Road.

The tour included seven stops and dozens of roads, including Lower Makefield Township, Bristol Borough, and Falls Township in Lower Bucks County. The tour also made stops in Doylestown, Chalfont, and Plumstead Township before concluding at the Newtown Bypass.

"Many of our roadways are showing their age and need repair and repaving to meet growing traffic demands in our region," the senator said. "I have strongly supported increasing funding for transportation infrastructure and recognize that PennDOT is working with a limited budget and staff. Despite these challenges, PennDOT continues to work hard to keep our roads safe and operational and I am committed to working with PennDOT to address the projects highlighted on this year’s tour."

The road tour began by driving through the intersection of Route 413 and Route 13 in Bristol Township, highlighting potholes and uneven road surfaces at the busy intersection.

Santarsiero noted that while work has been done along both Route 413 and Route 13 leading up to the intersection, the intersection itself needs to be prioritized for repairs.

Stopping on Green Lane, along the border of Bristol Borough and Bristol Township, Santarsiero was joined by representatives from both Bristol Borough and Township and Rep. Tina Davis’ (D-141) office to discuss drainage issues.

PennDOT officials shared they will replace deteriorating grates on Green Lane.

(Photo Courtesy of Pennsylvania Senate Democratic C) A motorist drives by the damaged road of Green Lane in Bristol Borough.

Tour Through Bristol, Falls Townships

Addressing the flooding under the Amtrak bridge, Bristol Borough and Township officials committed to identifying the source and path of the underground drainage pipes to better understand the necessary steps for flood mitigation.

The tour continued down Edgely Road and Tyburn Road where Santarsiero urged PennDOT to expedite the resurfacing of these roads.

Then at a stop on Woolston Drive with Falls Township Director of Public Works Jason Lawson and staff from Rep. John Galloway’s (D-140) office, the senator also requested a full resurfacing of the roadway there.

(Photo Courtesy of Pennsylvania Senate Democratic C) The tour included a trip through Falls Township.

Taylorsville Road Repairs

Stopping along Taylorsville Road in Lower Makefield Township, Santarsiero was joined by Lower Makefield Township Supervisor Daniel Grenier, Township Manager David Kratzer, Public Works Director Derick Fuller, Community Development Director Jim Majewski and Rep. Perry Warren (D-31).

Santarsiero expressed his gratitude for the state’s recovery effort following the July 15 flash flood in Upper Makefield and Lower Makefield townships.

“I want to thank Governor Shapiro and Secretary Carroll for their leadership and immediate action to repair the damage caused by the July 15 flash flood in Upper Makefield Township,” he said. “During a time of tragedy, their teams worked quickly and diligently to make the necessary repairs and implement improvements to help the community better weather future storms.”

During the flash flood, the Maplevale neighborhood took on considerable water causing damage to several homes.

Santarsiero and Warren have been working with township officials to develop a long-term plan for stormwater management to mitigate future flooding along Taylorsville Road and in Maplevale.

The road tour list is compiled on a rolling basis, regularly shared with PennDOT, and includes submissions from constituents and municipalities.