Human Interest - Bristol Borough

Bucks Receives $2.5M in Grants for Newtown Rail Trail

Published

3 years ago

January 13, 2023

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State and federal grants totaling $2.5 million will help fund the second phase of construction of the Newtown Rail Trail as it stretches into Northampton Township.

The Bucks County Commissioners approved receipt of the grants – one from the state Department of Transportation for $1.5 million, and another for $1 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – during their Jan. 4 public meeting.

“Our trail system is one of the true gems of Bucks County, and we’re excited to see it expand and improve,” said Commissioner Chair Bob Harvie. “We are thankful for our partners in the state and federal governments for their continued support of these projects that are enjoyed by so many of this county’s visitors and residents.”

Plans for the new leg of the trail add about one and a half miles to the existing path, linking Tamanend Park in Upper Southampton Township and Churchville Nature Center.

The project is expected to be in its design and engineering phase through 2023, said Director of Transportation Planning Rich Brahler of the Bucks County Planning Commission. The county has contracted with the Bucks County-based firm Gilmore & Associates to handle the trail’s engineering and design.

Brahler said he expects construction could begin in 2024 and last between 18 months and two years. Current estimates put the costs of construction at about $2.8 million.

“We’re too early in the engineering phase to know exactly what kind of complexities we might run into as we do that,” Brahler said.

“We’re hoping to wrap this up by the end of 2025 for sure – hopefully earlier if we can,” he added.

In the coming years, developers plan to extend the rail trail to Newtown Borough.

The first phase of the trail, which runs two and a half miles from County Line Road through Tamanend Park to Bristol Road along SEPTA’s former Newtown Branch rail line, officially opened to hikers in April. The trail connects at the county line to Montgomery County’s Pennypack Trail, which continues for more than six miles to Rockledge Park.

The trails are part of an 800-mile network of bicycle trails known as “the Circuit” that connects the Delaware Valley.

Related Topics:Bucks Receives $2.5M in Grants for Newtown Rail Trail

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Bridge, Roadway Construction Planned Next Week on U.S. 1 in Bensalem Township

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Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Pothole Repair Continues Next Week in Bucks County

Published

19 hours ago

March 6, 2026

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PennDOT announced maintenance crews will be working next week to repair deteriorated pavement on state roadways in Bucks County.

Drivers are advised that periodic daytime lane closures and possible slowdowns will occur next week at the followinn g locations:

Route 413 (Veterans Highway/Durham Road), Bristol and Buckingham townships
Durham Road, Middletown Township
State Road, Bensalem Township
Route 611 (Easton Road), Tinicum Township
Route 663 (John Fries Highway), Quakertown Borough and Milford Township
Almshouse Road, Doylestown and Warwick townships

Other Main Roadways:

I-76
I-95
U.S. 1
Route 63 (Woodhaven Road)

Drivers are reminded to slow down in work zones and refrain from distracted driving to keep themselves and our workers safe.

Since January 1, PennDOT District 6 has received more than 2,900 customer concerns regarding potholes and has used more than 740 tons of asphalt across the five-county Philadelphia region.

Cops, Courts & Fire -Falls Township

Do you Know Where Morgan Is ?

Published

20 hours ago

March 6, 2026

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Falls Township Police are seeking help with locating a missing 17 year-old last seen on Trenton Avenue Friday morning.

Morgan Douglas was last seen this morning in the 900 block of West Trenton Avenue, Morrisville, police said in a press release.

She was wearing a grey ‘essential’ hooded sweatshirt, a dark grey North Face Jacket, and black ‘Croc’ shoes. Morgan also has a tattoo, reading ‘Morgan,’ on her right wrist.

Anyone seeing Morgan is asked to call 911, anyone with information is asked to contact the assigned investigator, Detective Gregory Small, at (215) 302-3306, or via email at g.small@fallstwppd.com.

Information may also be provided anonymously at (215) 949-9120, or via email at tiplines@fallstwppd.com.

Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Police Seek Info on Missing Teen Believed to be in Lower Bucks Area

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2026

Jeff Bohen

Police from Plumstead Township Police Department with an assist from Tullytown Borough Police are asking for help from the community in attempting to locate a missing 17 year-old .

Ryan Jaatar Age 17 is 5ft 8in Brown eyes and has not been seen since January 3, 2026, police say.

Jaatar was last seen by his father at their residence in Plumstead Township.

Jaatar’s, according to investigators, is believed to be in the Levittown/Bristol/Croydon area.

Anyone with information, please contact Detective Stacie Arnosky at sarnosky@plumstead.gov or 215-766-8741, ext. 120 or Contact the Tullytown Borough Police Department at 215-945-0999. You can also submit a confidential tip at through this link.