Within the next year, eight Falls Township intersections will be upgraded with improved traffic signals, handicap accessibility and safer pedestrian access thanks to a pair of grants totaling more than $1 million.
During last Monday night’s Falls Supervisors meeting, the board approved proposals from Remington & Vernick Engineers for traffic engineering services related to the projects.
As part of a PennDOT Green Light Go grant, the township will upgrade and modernize the existing traffic signal located at the intersection of Trenton Road and N. Olds Boulevard. The project involves optimizing the signal phasing, installing new traffic signal equipment, and associated pedestrian crosswalk and curb ramp improvements.
The total grant allocation for the Green Light Go funding is $244,290 with a minimum 20 percent township match of $61,073, for a total project budget of $305,363. Remington & Vernick’s not to exceed fee of $50,500 would go toward the match.
The firm anticipates completing design and bidding within the next six months, with bid award and construction taking a subsequent six months.
The other project encompasses pedestrian safety improvements and signal modernization upgrades at various intersections within Falls Township, including Trenton Road and Andover Road; Trenton Road and North Olds Boulevard; South Olds Boulevard and Queen Anne Drive; Lincoln Highway and Lincoln Circle; West Trenton Avenue and Woolston Drive; West Trenton Avenue and Alden Avenue and West Trenton Avenue and Big Oak Road.
Work includes providing pedestrian signal heads, ADA curb ramps and emergency vehicle preemption devices at several existing signalized intersections as part of the Automated Red Light Enforcement grant awarded to Falls.
The total grant allocation is $756,881 with no required township match. Remington & Vernick’s fees – which are to not exceed $102,563 – are eligible for reimbursement through the grant.
Remington & Vernick expects to complete the design and bidding process within six months. Bid selection and construction is expected to take a subsequent seven months, with the project expected to be completed within 13 months.
In addition to acquiring successful grant funding, the township approved a stipulation to settle an appeal of Morrisville Realty LLC which means an additional $159,920 will be paid in property taxes effective Jan. 1, 2023, according to township attorney Mike Clarke.
Falls Township also netted more than $34,000 from auctioning off various items from the existing municipal building, which will be under construction in the coming days, according to Township Manager Matthew Takita.
In other business, the board authorized advertisement of a proposed ordinance to create a Volunteer Service Credit program. Township attorney Lauren Gallagher said that once enacted, the program would provide Earned Income Tax credits to members of the three fire companies.