Residents of Hansel Drive had their flooding issues addressed at the Bensalem Township meeting Monday night.
Flooding has been a topic on the top of the mind of township residents and those living on Hansel Dr since a recent series of heavy rainfalls. The issue was discussed at the July 13, Council meeting. A number of residents brought up concerns that the flooding occurs due to a number of factors, including the retention pond on the old Armstrong Middle School property not being maintained properly.
During public comment, Nicole Khan who works for the township as an engineer, said that they were going to be having a meeting with other engineers in order to determine the best approach to managing the old Armstrong Middle School property.
“We’re in a good spot.” Khan told members of the council.
When asked by Council President Edward Tokmajian Jr. when a design will be finalized, Khan said that it should take no more then two weeks.
“Within no more then two weeks we would like to see someone starting active construction.” Khan told the Council.
The Armstrong property is once again being put up for sale, but until something goes through the owner of the current property must maintain things on his side, officials said.
Credit: Lower Bucks Hospital
“I’ve explained to the residents on Hansel Dr. that they are at a confluence point between the stream and the two state highways (Street Rd and Hulmeville Rd). The township would still probably need to do anther drainage project on Hansel Dr. itself, which would be separate from what’s happening on Armstrong.”
Council Vice President Jesse Sloane brought up a concern in regards to funding that was supposed to be used for Hansel Dr. back in 2022,
Khan said the money was used to investigate why flooding occurred on Hansel Dr. and what could be done to stop it, especially because it’s more then just one thing causing the flooding.
Khan assured both Council and residents of Hansel Dr. that a solution is coming.
“We’re working to alleviate what’s happening, and I promise you we will have a solution.”
Alongside Hansel Dr., Councilman Joseph Wenzel Jr gave residents an update on meeting with PennDOT, something that was also discussed at the July 13 council meeting.
“We had some headway on Station Ave.” Wenzel Jr. said.
“When we had this meeting, they were shocked, they didn’t know things that were happening. Very strange that some of them said that we didn’t know this was going on when everyone in the world knows that this is going on.”
Council President Tokmajian Jr. said the meeting Bensalem officials had with PennDOT on Aug.7 was “extremely productive.”
The township provided PennDOT with some insight into what was happening on Station Avenue and how it was impacting Bensalem residents and motorists from other municipalities that use the busy roadway.
One significant concern that was raised is documented evidence water was running off of I-95 and worsening the conditions on Station Ave. PennDOT agreed to take a closer look at the drainage issue and also agreed to send representatives to Station Ave to conduct an overall assessment of the flooding problem, officials said
According to Tokmajian Jr, two potential solutions have been reached. A short term one that involves improvements that will be funded through a transportation grant, and an long term perinate solution that will involve Penndot’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
Council intends to reach out to state Rep K.C Tomlinson and state Senator Frank Ferry for support in moving the project forward.
Tokmajian said this is “a serious public safety issue” that puts police, firefighters, and emergency personnel in danger every time the road floods and we’re trying to solve this long-standing issue in the best way possible.
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