Traffic

I receive more calls and email about traffic than any other subject. It is a problem. It is a difficult problem. Where appropriate, I work with residents and the Police Department to address the issues. If you have a concern about traffic in your neighborhood, please feel free to contact me. Please understand, however, that not every situation has an easy answer.

Intersection of Darby Road & Marple Road to be Closed for Construction From June 23 to September 1, 2010

The intersection of Marple Road and Darby Road will be closed for reconstruction (reconfiguration of the intersection into a T-intersection and installation of traffic signals) for 10 weeks from Wednesday, June 23, 2010, the day after school closes, until September 1, 2010, just before school opens. The contractor will be placing detour signs in the area. Further information will be posted as it becomes available.

Eagle, Darby & Lawrence Roads

As a resident who lives on Marilyn Drive (which is adjacent to Lawrence Road) and whose offices are located on Eagle Road (across from Rita's Water Ice), I am extremely concerned with the traffic that plagues the Township, especially Darby, Eagle and Lawrence Roads (which literally circle the 4th Ward). The intersections of Lawrence & Eagle Roads, and Eagle & Darby Roads are particularly jammed and cry out for help.

I am working with Township, and state and local officials to address these traffic problems -- which could worsen with eventual development of the now vacant Bubble Gum Factory on Eagle Road. I welcome everyone's input. Please call or email me with ideas, suggestions, etc.

Paddock Road & Ellis Road

A number of residents contacted me about traffic concerns at the intersection of Paddock Road and Ellis Road. In response, I asked the Township for possible solutions. Click here to read the October 7, 2009 letter from David Pennoni, P.E., the Township Engineer, along with recommendations for ways to "calm" the traffic at the intersection. No decisions have been made about what, if any, methods will be used.

Ignore the Rumors About Paddock & Ellis Roads

There are many rumors floating around about the potential changes to the intersection, which are not true. As outlined by Sgt. Joseph Hagan of the Haverford Township Police Department:

After receiving complaints from the residents who reside at or near this intersection concerning the traffic hazards of the intersection, the Township Engineer was given the task of coming up with viable solutions to make it a safer intersection. After a study was conducted recommendations were made for possible solutions to the problems faced at that particular intersection. Upon receiving the recommendations a decision was made to configure the intersection in a layout in paint to see if the best viable solution would work to curb the hazards at this intersection. These lines in the roadway are only temporary and delineating poles would be placed closet to the intersection to make the intersection into to a hard right turn onto Paddock, also a temporary solution. The intersection configuration is experimental and no decisions were made. If a decision is made I am sure Mr. Siegel would make sure that the new intersection would be aesthetically pleasing and proper for the neighborhood.

... the earliest any decisions would be [made is] the Spring. Obviously this is a bad case of whisper down the lane and in the future if you have any questions please call me.

Sgt. Joseph Hagan
Special Operations Division
Haverford Township Police

Rather, the Township plans to mark the intersection in the near future based upon these recommendations and to evaluate their effectiveness. In addition, we welcome your input about these proposals so that when a solution is reached, it will be based upon (l) resident input, (2) Police feedback, and (3) analysis of the effectiveness of these measures.

The "Signs"

Another common request I receive is for signs that say "Please Slow Down - Haverford Township Police Department." These signs were prepared by the Township and are no longer available.