County Council updates residents on PennDOT construction near Rose Tree Park

Delaware County Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle presented an update on the construction being done by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to improve the intersection at Route 252 and Rose Tree Road, which borders Rose Tree Park.

In response to questions from the public, McGarrigle said all activities at Rose Tree Park will continue including the annual Festival of Lights that opens Saturday.

He asked Tom Shaffer, transportation planner with the Delaware County Planning Department, and Marc Manfre, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation to give a brief update on the impact of the PennDOT work on the county park.

Shaffer presented an overview of the project and listed several websites and phone numbers where residents can get updates on the construction. He said work is expected to continue through December 2014.

The purpose of the PennDOT work is to reduce traffic congestion and accidents caused by Route 252/Rose Tree Road intersection that was constricted by the former location of Rose Tree Tavern. The Tavern was moved back in the park and now houses the Brandywine Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Shaffer detailed the following work included in the $5.1 million PennDOT project.

• Widen northbound 252 by one lane from Rose Tree Road to Providence Road/Palmer’s Mill Road intersection (at north end of Rose Tree Park)
• Improve 252 intersections at Palmer’s Mill/Providence Road, Rose Tree Road, Media Bypass ramps, and Kirk Lane, including new turn lanes and new signals. New signals will be placed at Providence/Palmer’s Mill intersection and 252/southbound Route 1 ramps
• Construct a sidewalk and crosswalks along the west side of 252 between Kirk Lane and Rose Tree Road, with crosswalks to connect with Rose Tree Park walkways

Concerned citizens can contact the following:

• The contractor, Road-Con, at (610) 633-7788

·         The link to PennDOT District 6-0’s Customer Care Center: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/penndot/districts/district6/d6ccc.nsf

·         The PennDOT District 6-0 King of Prussia office contact for the project: Brad Rudolph, Safety Press Officer, 610-205-6798

• Phone number for potholes and maintenance issues: 1-800-FIX-ROAD.
• PennDOT’s traffic bulletin: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Penndot/Districts/District6/D6Media.nsf/vTrafficBulletin?OpenView&Start=1&Count=30&Expand=4#4
• For updated information on projects you can access 511PA  http://www.511pa.com/ ; or the individual district website: click on PennDOT Near You in the middle of the main page of the  website (www.dot.state.pa.us). Then click on District 6, and current projects on the right side.
• An abbreviated list of projects will come up here:  http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Penndot/Districts/district6.nsf/D6Roadwork?OpenFrameSet&frame=main&src=CurrentProjects?openform