Bristol Borough officials are determined to answer and respond to stormwater and flooding issues that continue to frustrate residents, present challenges for first responders and plan to overhaul the look and feel of the town.
Council voted earlier this month to apply for $8 million in grants to mitigate infrastructure issues.
A number of infrastructure projects seek to mitigate flooding and stormwater issues. On top of mind for locals is Green Lane which floods rapidly at the underpass during rainstorms which leads to shutting it down from both sides of the roadway.
During a recent rainstorm a couple driving on Green Lane had to be rescued by Bristol firefighters from their vehicle as it got stuck in the flooded section underneath the overpass.
The borough, officials said, applied for a stormwater pipe replacement funding that comes in at just under $3.1 million for work on the state roadway.
Bristol Borough engineer Amanda Fuller of Gilmore and Associates, at the August Council meeting said, there is plenty of red tape and actual work to be done before a significant change could been seen by residents on Green Lane. The engineering firm with the help of state lawmakers received a grant to perform a study on Green Lane recently. Fuller, in a synopsis of the report, said storm water lines on both sides of the street are severely deteriorated and the pipe that is supposed to carry out stormwater to the Delaware River is obstructed by tree roots and other debris. Fuller said, the stormwater pipe, which was installed by either PennDOT or the railroad company in 1930, was for drainage purposes. It’s clearly not operating the way it was intended. Fuller said based on the study’s outcomes, she’s recommending a full replacement of the pipe run from Green Lane to the Delaware River. Fuller said infiltration from the river has also compromised the pipe’s main purpose so a new pipe with a check valve would improve the situation at a cost of roughly 3 to $3.5 million. According to the engineering firm’s review of historical documents, the pipe isn’t exactly Bristol’s responsibility although PennDOT apparently thinks otherwise. Next steps in this process are to reach back out to state Senator Steve Santarsiero (D- Bucks), state Rep Tina Davis (D -Bucks), and the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to set up another meeting with PennDOT.
Green Lane stormwater drains(right side of image) are clogged with various types of debris, borough engineers say.
Credit: Jeff Bohen Lower Bucks Source
“I think it’s absurd PennDOT can take the position the borough should be responsible for $3.5 million worth of pipe that was installed in 1930,” Borough Manager Jim Dillon said.
Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III suggested a temporary fix of electronic arms to stop the flow of traffic going in and out of Bristol when it rains. Locals know about the flooding on Green Lane. Many of our visitors don’t. Borough officials agreed to seek out pricing for the traffic arms and guidance from PennDOT on what would be required to install a traffic mechanism on both sides of the underpass to at least stop traffic flow when it rains as a temporary panacea.
Other targeted projects the borough is seeking funding for:
- Waterfront Park flood improvements: $1,945,000
- Bristol Borough High School track: $400,000
- Seabird Riverbank erosion control: $726,479
- Adams Hollow Creek flood mitigation: $1.9 million
Borough officials focused on upgrades and overhauls in additional important targeted areas, with the assistance of the borough engineers, are the walking path which needs extensive work, the planned upgrade of the press box, stands, fields which was first assigned to the public works department, Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe II said. Improvements to the Otter Street fields, as part of further investing in the overwhelmingly successful recreation program, with plans to install, and improve, lighting, expand parking access and upgrade the playground area and fields of play. Every playground in town needs to be redone and expanded.
Credit: BP Morgan Photography
New signage for the gateways coming into Bristol with the areas cleaned up and grass manicured for overall beautification investments as the borough is now a “must see/visit area” for visitors coming to or through Bucks County.
Now we’re spending some of our money, Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe II said, adding the borough any day now should find out if a grant for a brand new track at Bristol High School is approved.
Borough officials said an investment into the senior center is also planned. That plan will be covered in a future story.
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