FAQ Category: RC3CF

The public is greatly concerned about the additional traffic the new intersection directly on 413 will induce to use that new interchange. Are their concerns unfounded?

Based on PennDOT’s traffic studies including origin-destination studies, the proposed interchange will not induce new traffic to PA 413 (Pine Street) as a large majority of the users of the interchange live in the areas adjacent to US 1.  In the existing conditions, the service roads and their intersections to Bellevue Avenue act like a de facto interchange. 

The proposed interchange only allows the portion of the traffic traveling to Newtown to directly access Pine Street instead of using Bellevue Avenue and various side streets to get to Pine Street. 

Any changes in traffic volume on Pine Street at the PA 213 (Maple Avenue) intersection due to the proposed interchange will be traffic that used to take the Maple Avenue interchange to get to Pine Street to travel to Newtown.  Any actual increase in traffic volumes along Pine Street are likely due to redevelopment in the region (i.e., warehouses, townhomes, etc.).

In addition the train already causes traffic back ups on Bellevue and now we are exiting everyone for Penndel at Pine Street. If a train is present this back up will likely be worse and therefore push people into Langhorne Manor. So again I ask are you looking at this traffic and the impact to a neighborhood that does not have sidewalks.

It is anticipated that traffic currently exiting the Frontage Road onto Bellevue Avenue, Station Ave, Hill Ave and Hulmeville Ave to go south to Penndel, would utilize the new SR 413 Interchange in the build condition to get to Bellevue Ave.

In the no build condition, 560 vehicles in the AM peak and 575 vehicles in the PM peak are expected to pass through the Bellevue Ave and SR 413/W. Highland Ave intersection to go south on Bellevue Ave. In the build condition, for the same movement, 580 vehicles in the AM peak and 590 vehicles in the PM peak are expected. This is a difference of 20 vehicles in the AM peak and 15 vehicles in the PM peak. This minor increase in volumes during the peak hours is not expected to increase the backups due to the trains.

 

My two main concerns are the increased traffic and sound walls. The plan will force more traffic down Gillam Ave. It is already a cut through street. We need sound barriers along Route 1, not only for the small proposed area in the plan. I have called a few times before about sound walls and I was told if cloverleafs are being built that we would get sound barriers. The traffic noise can be deafening, even heard inside our home on 203 W Gillam Ave. Someone involved in this plan can come to our home at various times not just Saturday or Sunday to hear the noise from Route 1 & count the cars on Gillam Ave. The proposed roundabout may slow the cars but not decrease the car traffic. Traffic noise on Route 1 is ruining a quaint small old historic town and not lessening traffic onto the streets. Will PennDOT maintain the streets & access road?

The increase in traffic volume along Gillam Avenue is anticipated to be 29% during the AM Peak Hour. This equates to approximately 50 additional vehicles per intersection for that one hour. All other hours of the day will see a smaller increase in traffic.

Moreso, the majority of the traffic is expected to be residents living in the area with an anticipated reduction in cut-through traffic that currently exists in the area.  A traffic noise study is being completed for the project in accordance with PennDOT’s Publication 24: Project Level Highway Traffic Noise Handbook. If warranted, feasible, and reasonable, noise walls will be proposed as part of this project.

In areas where noise walls are proposed, the benefited members of the community will have a vote on whether to accept the noise wall.  A simple majority will determine whether a potential proposed noise wall will be incorporated into the project. PennDOT will be responsible for maintenance of the state-owned roadways.

Why is there a long service road between Hulmeville Road and the Cemetery. Is this for access to Our Lady of Grace Cemetery? If so, there are 2 entrances for the cemetery on West Gillam Ave and any funeral procession will get off at the Neshaminy School Exit and take Old Lincoln Hwy to West Gillam to enter the Cemetery. This service road is a one-way road so you cannot take it to leave the cemetery as you can do now so it is big waste of money.

PennDOT has met with representatives from the Our Lady of Grace Cemetery and was told they prefer to retain access to the entrance along the existing service road.  The existing service road in front of the cemetery is currently proposed to be converted to a two-way driveway to facilitate ingress and egress to their main entrance.

You have a service road going from Hulmeville Ave to Hill Ave, is this for the driveway that belongs to the house (505 Hulmeville Ave) that is 3’ from the road. Wouldn’t it be cheaper just to buy the house then putting in a new road and upkeep for this road? This is the only house that does not have any yard between it and the road and would make sense to take it down.

Thank you for your input.  PennDOT works to reduce impacts to adjacent properties to the extent possible and must have engineering justification to acquire property.

For the RC2 plan there were sound barriers installed on the south side of Route 1 near the Neshaminy high school. There will be as many if not more traffic traveling on the RC3 portion of the highway. We would be surprised once the findings come out that there will be required in some area where there is housing close to the highway. Now sound barriers only work well when there is no interruption in them. Wouldn’t this eliminate all if not many of the service roads and driveway access as there is not enough room for both. Are you working on a plan to have sound barriers installed and when will that be available to the public.

A detailed noise study is being completed for the project. If warranted, reasonable and feasible in accordance with PennDOT Publication 24, noise walls will be proposed as part of this project.  In areas where noise walls are proposed, the local impacted property owners will have a vote on whether to accept the noise wall.  A simple majority will determine whether the potential proposed noise wall will be incorporated into the project.

I have just watched the virtual meeting and I found it very informative. I was wondering to what extent bicycle paths have been considered for the Northbound side of the service road. Also when it comes to the elimination of the service road in front of North Street I find that it would be potentially problematic. We will not have anywhere for people to park when we have friends over. We need the service road to entertain guests.

The preferred alternative removes the portion of the service road parallel to North Street.  This area will be used for stormwater conveyance in the build condition along with a potential multi-use trail.

I live near the intersection of Bellevue Avenue and West Highland Avenue in Langhorne Manor, and I am concerned about how the proposed roundabout will affect my property.

As the project is still in the initial Environmental Assessment phase of development, property impacts have not been determined at this time and are subject to change.  If your property (or a portion of your property) is needed for the project, a PennDOT representative will contact you once plans have been prepared for the Acquisition of Right-of-Way in the final design phase of the project.  At this time, Right-of-Way Acquisition is not anticipated to begin until late 2026 / early 2027.