The Penn DOT project to install sidewalks and other safety related measures will begin its first phase with the relocation of utility poles on the roadway this year,  officials said last week.

In an email sent to State Representative Tina Davis’ Chief of Staff Bryan Allen, Penn DOT officials said that work will begin this Spring  and next year the actual building and installing of the sidewalks would commence.

“While the contractor may perform some work this fall, major construction to excavate and build the new sidewalks is planned to start in spring 2023.  In addition, the contractor has 90 ADA curb ramps to design and then build in 2023, plus make traffic signal improvements at one intersection” Penn DOT officials said.

In April the agency announced plans for the work to begin.

Sharon Rearick, whose advocacy about  what was once described as one of the mos dangerous roadways in Bucks County, was disappointed to learn the sidewalks will not be in place until late 2023 .

“It’s just so frustrating,” she said, after only weeks ago feeling elated about the announced plan.

“The first phase of construction on the project to occur this year will be the relocation of six utility poles (4 PECO, 2 Verizon) and the aerial utility lines along New Falls Road. The contractor advised us that the utility companies must first perform design work for the moving of their facilities. He does not yet have an approximate time for when the utility work will start this year” said Penn DOT.

Rearick received a copy of the e-mail too, she said.

The construction contract has been awarded to the Marino Corporation of Skippack, Montgomery County, which will be paid $1.4 million for the project.