Great Valley Association

Preserving the Quality of Life in the Great Valley for over 80Years

PO Box 328

Paoli, PA 19301

Dear Great Valley Resident:

As you know, the intersection at Swedesford and North Valley Roads (SW-NV) has been the topic of much discussion by Tredyffrin Township and Great Valley residents. For the past several years, the Township has been studying a number of road improvement options. The issue is complicated by the fact that these roads are under PennDOT’s jurisdiction and all changes must be approved by PennDOT.

We are seeking your input to help the GVA take a position that best represents the majority of Great Valley residents. In this letter, we have tried to fairly and objectively present the facts in light of some new information and a new proposal from the Township. We have provided in brief form the background leading up to the Township’s current proposal and all aspects of the issue below.

Background Information:

Timeline:

• Back in the 1980’s, the Township identified the SW-NV intersection as a problem based on the number of accidents occurring there. In 1991, it petitioned PennDOT for funding to make improvements that would improve safety.
• In 2003, PennDOT placed this intersection on its list for improvement consideration.

·         In 2005, Tredyffrin Township consulting engineers proposed a 4-lane intersection with a traffic light. The GVA vigorously opposed this plan as unnecessarily large and one that would attract more commuter traffic.

• In 2006, the GVA presented the Township with a petition stating that “the proposed intersection expansion…is not appropriate and should be delayed for further study” until after the completion of the Rte. 202 widening in 2008. The Township decided to pursue smaller and safer alternatives.
• In 2006, Tredyffrin Township consulting engineers developed alternatives for the intersection. The township is now considering a single lane roundabout as the most feasible and least intrusive alternative.

Funding:

• PennDOT announced that funding for the Rte. 202 improvement has been delayed. The original completion date of 2008 now has been moved back to 2013.
• PennDOT’s funding allocation of $1.8 million for the SW-NV improvement will expire in 2008 unless Tredyffrin Township has presented an approved plan by then.

• If the Township waits until the Rte. 202 widening is complete, it will lose current funding and need to reapply. Township officials are concerned that future funding will be given low priority or be denied.

The Township’s concerns with the current SW-NV intersection:

• There is a history of accidents at this intersection – with 13 reported in 2006.
• Poor sight lines – the “hump” on the western side of Swedesford Rd prevents drivers turning onto Swedesford seeing a safe distance down Swedesford before turning and prevents drivers from seeing stopped or turning cars along Swedesford.
• Excessive speed – during low traffic times, vehicles traveling along Swedesford tend to exceed the 40 mph speed limit, thus allowing them less time to slow down or stop for a vehicle pulling out into or stopped in the intersection.
• Problems with traffic flow.

a)      It is very slow-moving during the AM and PM rush hours, and drivers making left-hand turns are at the mercy of other drivers. A back-up of up to a mile often develops in each direction from the intersection, and can add 10-15 minutes travel time on weekdays.

b)      North Valley Rd. is one of three heavily used north-south routes from Phoenixville to Paoli and will probably experience more commuter traffic over time.

The Township’s Current Proposal: A new kind of improvement was proposed for the SW-NV intersection: a single-lane roundabout. (Please refer to diagram on page 4). At the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on July 16, the Township engineer presented the following on the roundabout proposal:

• Reduces speed to 20 mph for traffic approaching and in the roundabout.
• Traffic merges into the roundabout and exits onto the desired road, eliminating potentially dangerous left turns.
• Improves traffic flow and keeps traffic moving, providing higher levels of service without the cost of a traffic light.
• Requires less “right of way” land purchases, has less impervious coverage and impacts fewer properties than other alternatives. (Uses only a single lane entrance and exit from the intersection as opposed to a multiple lane intersection with a light.)
• Is safer than ordinary and signalized intersections.
• Potentially shaves the blind hill crest on Swedesford and improves sight distances.

You can see the presentation at www.tredyffrin.org on the page and click on Updates on Transportation Improvement Projects and then click on North Valley and Swedesford Road.
Questions you may have:

1. Do we need to do this now?  The GVA has previously requested that the Township wait until the 202 expansion is completed to determine the need to improve the intersection.  Since 202 will not be completed until 2013, the Township decided to explore this option (not approve to build it) and if feasible and if the residents and PennDOT support it, then they would make the final decision to approve it.  If Township does not choose this option then PennDOT is likely to pull their funding.
2. Will an intersection improvement at SW-NV encourage more commuter traffic -  if we build it will they come? It is difficult to predict the future when it comes to traffic.  Future buildings and growth can have unexpected effects. The traffic circle should move traffic more smoothly and have a calming effect, perhaps discouraging some commuters seeking a quicker alternate route. Also, the opening of the Rte. 29 slip ramp to the Turnpike may divert some traffic from local roads. However, the opening of major retail stores and a movie theater at the soon-to-be-built Worthington site (Rtes. 29 and 202) is likely to increase local traffic on SW-NV. And while Rte.202 is under construction, back-ups on Rte. 202 may cause some commuters to seek alternate routes on local roads. Much of the traffic increase will be unavoidable.  Given traffic congestion in other routes, a smoother flowing Swedesford and North Valley Roads could attract more traffic.
3. How big is the roundabout? The plan as proposed requires 0.61 acres of land in total. This requires the Township purchase property from the owners at the southeast and the northwest corners of the intersection that includes land needed to realign North Valley. Roundabouts do not typically require any more space than traditional intersections since roundabouts require fewer traffic lanes to handle the same amount of traffic both inside and on approaches.
4. Is it safe?  With a speed limit of 20 mph approaching and within the roundabout, drivers enter the circle and travel around it until the point at which they need to exit. A 2001 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that modern roundabouts have 80% fewer crashes with injuries and 40% fewer crashes overall than ordinary intersections.  Versus signalized intersections, roundabouts have a 90% reduction in fatal crashes and a 75% reduction in injuries. Although new to many drivers, these roundabouts are becoming more common in the US due to their safety improvements. After an initial learning curve, drivers actually prefer roundabouts.
5. By how much is traffic expected to increase in the SW-NV area in the future?
   At this time there is no way to accurately determine how traffic may increase.  In April 2005 the peak traffic during weekday rush hours was measured at 1,700 vehicles per hour.  According to PennDOT and the Township managers in East Marlborough Township, where they recently installed a roundabout, the roundabout can handle 2200 cars per hour.  If traffic increases by 1% per year then after 20 years the intersection will have a 22% increase in traffic or 2075 cars in peak hours.
6. Have more limited road improvements been considered?
   Yes, the Township has considered flattening the “hump” on Swedesford, but the cost is considerable and by itself would not be approved by PennDOT. The release of $1.8 million in PennDOT traffic improvement funds is contingent upon an acceptable intersection improvement plan from the Township. The Township has made two separate requests to PennDOT to lower the speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph on Swedesford Rd. The request was denied both times. PennDOT’s response: the current speed limit is reasonable and has already been lowered to 40 mph from 45 mph. 
   Less intrusive alternatives considered by the Township such as 4-Way stop signs are unacceptable to PennDOT and a larger intersection with a light has been rejected by the residents.  Leaving the intersection as currently configured is the only other option.

7.      Are there any examples of roundabouts in our area?  Yes, there are three:
East Marlborough Township on Route 82, Quakertown, and Doylestown. Additional information about roundabouts may be found on the Township’s website www.tredyffrin.org on the page and click on Updates on Transportation Improvement Projects and then click on North Valley and Swedesford Road.  There are also links to a “real time” camera on a roundabout in Ohio and bulletins from PennDOT and USTA.

8.      Are roundabouts the same as the traffic circles in New Jersey?   No, the modern roundabouts are smaller (single lane), have slower speed limits and do not utilize traffic signals or stop signs versus traditional traffic circles. The design of a single lane roundabouts forces traffic to be slower.

9.      Are any other improvement options under consideration?  Not at this time. The Township has already narrowed its list of alternatives to the roundabout.

10.  Won’t this change the character of some of the oldest roads in Tredyffrin?  Yes. North Valley will be straightened and the intersection will be new.  However, both roads will remain single lane in both directions.

11.   Some Additional Considerations.   The Township’s feasibility study will need to consider the safety impact of additional traffic on North Valley Road.  While Swedesford Road is relatively straight, North Valley Road is a twisting country road.  Also the impact of the roundabout on the one lane bridge on North Valley just north of the intersection will need to be examined.

Please take the time to consider the issues. Then fill in the stamped post card questionnaire and mail it to us. We are hoping for a response from every household in the area surrounding the SW-NV intersection. Results of the survey will be discussed at our annual meeting in October, but if you have any questions or concerns, please contact albertc456@yahoo.com.

Thank you for your input.

Sincerely,

Albert Charpentier

President, Great Valley Association

Tredyffrin Township Roundabout Plan for Swedesford and North Valley Roads

For more detailed information go to www.tredyffrin.org on the page and click on Updates on Transportation Improvement Projects and then click on North Valley and Swedesford Road.