3rd Street Dam—Another View

On September 20, . PennDOT and design engineers will now start drafting plans for the design of the dam and the road, based on the parameters given by Borough Council. Some in our community wanted a pedestrian-only greenway; others wanted a two-lane, two-way road. Like those that have written and blogged about this issue over the last several months, I too had an opinion on what I thought was best for the park and my community.  Regardless of the diversity of opinion on this topic, Council's vote represents a reasonable compromise of competing interests; it's a compromise worth making.  Critics of the decision should keep in mind an old adage: “Compromise—better bend than break.”

The one-lane roadway will considerably reduce the overall footprint of the dam as well as decrease the construction cost. A two-lane roadway would have expanded the footprint and extended the dam significantly further into Glen Providence Park. Council's vote permits a 30 percent reduction in the dam width.

Contrary to what many may believe, this is NOT a fully funded project. PennDOT estimated the project to cost $3.2 million two years ago. It is likely that the construction costs of a two-lane roadway could greatly exceed this estimate.  Although PennDOT has agreed to cover 80 percent of the construction costs, the Borough must pay the remaining 20 percent. Even with the additional $725,000 in funds secured from the Commonwealth and the County, Media Borough is on the hook for any costs in excess of that amount. A narrower dam and roadway reduces the overall cost of the project and protects taxpayers.

There are other benefits to a one-lane roadway. A one-lane roadway permits emergency vehicle access both ways across the dam. The proposed eastbound direction of the road will avoid the perilous left hand turn off Ridley Creek Road onto Baltimore Pike. The one-lane roadway also addresses concerns about increased traffic in a residential neighborhood. The more predictable traffic pattern and reduced traffic volume created by a one-lane road across the dam will promote pedestrian and vehicular safety.

Council's vote will also provide better recreational and pedestrian opportunities. The original design for the rebuilt dam made no provision for a pedestrian walkway, but was for a two-lane roadway, only. Now, the design plans will incorporate enough space for passive recreation and for safer pedestrian and bicycle crossings.

Borough Council has been barraged with criticism while it pondered this issue – some thought Council took too long to make a decision, while others thought the decision was rushed; some thought it did not look at enough options, while others thought it looked at too many options; some thought there were too many meetings on the issue; while others thought there should have been more meetings...you get the point.

But ultimately, Borough Council did its job.

Are some people unhappy with Council’s decision? Undoubtedly. The diversity of opinion in the community was represented by the diversity of opinion on Borough Council, which made for many weeks of debate, review of experts and design options and evaluation of potential costs.

Personally, I wouldn’t have it any other way. This complicated issue should not have been finalized without the thoughtful consideration of issues and spirited debate that most of Council lead and facilitated.

Indeed, although the process was at times prolonged and tedious, it ultimately worked. A group of people with diverse points of view ultimately came to a vote that has something for everyone, even if it doesn’t entirely please any one group 100 percent.

Broomall's Lake Swim Club keeps its lake; the impact on the county owned park is reduced significantly; both Media and Upper Providence will have improved emergency access; traffic patterns will be calmed, enhancing pedestrian safety; and the pedestrian walkway will enhance opportunities for recreation. Perhaps most importantly, the cost of the project is contained.

I applaud Borough Council in establishing an open, transparent and multi-stakeholder process to ultimately come to this decision. 

Debbie Krull

Co-Chair, Media Democrats