Township still waiting for word on grant
A new year could bring new movement on fixing a troublesome traffic spot in Hatfield Township.
That is, if and when PennDOT determines whether to award grant funds to realign the intersection of Cowpath and Orvilla Roads.
“We have a grant application in with PennDOT. For whatever reason, almost every grant program has been awarded in 2017, except the one we are waiting for,” said Township Manager Aaron Bibro.
“We were told in April, in May, then June, and July, that this was happening too, but I really am hopeful, and I know all the
commissioners are keeping their fingers crossed that the township receives that funding,” he said.
Discussions picked up in earnest in 2017 on fixing the intersection of Cowpath Road, which runs east to west, and Orvilla, which meets Cowpath at two offset intersections controlled by synchronized traffic signals that can cause major delays throughout the township — and can lead drivers to try to speed through to catch a turn arrow.
The intersection was first identified as a high priority in 2005, an initial concept for a realignment was developed in 2008, and the project was added to PennDOT’s “Decade of Investment” plan following a 2013 state transportation funding law. In 2014 into 2015, the township used developer fees to acquire a former gas station parcel on the north side of the intersection, and in 2016 the township received $280,000 in state grant money to finalize the design. Over the course of 2017, public meetings were held to get feedback on the proposed realignment, which would shift the northern portion of Orvilla to the west, behind or through properties where several houses are currently located, then behind a pizza restaurant and through the gas station property to intersect with Cowpath across from the southern portion of Orvilla.
Township officials have estimated the total price tag of the project to be roughly $3 million, and in late 2016 the township applied to PennDOT’s multimodal transportation fund for that entire amount, with the township’s matching portion to be partially covered
by the $475,000 gas station acquisition. As the commissioners approved the township’s 2018 budget on Dec. 20, Bibro gave an update on the project, and said the tenor of township talks may change once word is received on the state funding.
“If we do not get the grant, the commissioners will have a serious discussion about what the township can do, without the aid of the state, to alleviate the concerns, so we can further that realignment of a very dangerous intersection at Cowpath and Orvilla,” Bibro said.
“The township commissioners have done a great job in the last few years, to put the township in a great financial position, where if a project like that does come up, we could be in a position to finally do something,” he said.
Justin Loew of Orvilla Road, one of several residents who lives on property where the new offset Orvilla would be built, since he and his neighbors have held off on home improvement projects while waiting for word on whether the township could buy their properties.
“We’re trying to figure out, what is your guys’ deadline if the state doesn’t approve it?” said Loew.
“Otherwise, I have to make a decision to have some repairs done, and so
do my neighbors,” he said.
Board President Tom Zipfel said while there will be no timeline until the township hears from PennDOT, he and Bibro have been in constant contact with the residents about the project as any new developments happen. Zipfel added that he Loew and other neighbors who have put off fixes to air conditioning and other major systems while waiting have been “remarkably accommodating” of the delays.
“You’ve been remarkably patient while we wait to see if we get the grant, and remarkably understanding,” he said. “This is action item number one for us in 2018.”
Hatfield’s commissioners next meet at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the township administration building, 1950 School Road. For more information or meeting agendas and materials visit www.HatfieldTownship.org or follow @HatfieldPA on Twitter.