Currently, the West Vincent Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) is evaluating a new resolution that would install 24/7 Flashing Red LED lights within the township. If approved, these lights would be located on the descent of Flowing Springs Road into downtown Birchrunville to alert traffic of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Flowing Springs Road (S.R. 1030) and School House Lane. While alerting drivers the red flashing LEDs would do nothing to improve the ability of vehicles to stop under poor (wet, icy, snowy) road conditions.

The issue has arisen due to the proposed maximum commercial development at 2200 Flowing Springs Road, the Birchrun School House. A pending Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) for the Birchrun Village requires either a four-way stop at the intersection of Flowing Springs Road and School House Lane, or a right-in, right-out driveway. Currently, there is a two-way stop at this intersection, which has served us well through the years.

Responding to an earlier development proposal, in a letter dated May 3, 2010 from Heinrich and Klein Associates, Inc., Traffic Engineering & Planning, to Mr. Jim Wendelgass, West Vincent Township Manager, they note that "based on data supplied by the West Vincent Township Police Department only one reportable (car ran off road due to snowfall), and no non-reportable crash has occurred near the intersection of Flowing Springs Road and School House Lane during the period 1/1/2005 thru 4/4/2010... The cause of the crash was related to icy road conditions. I received a response from the Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering and Penn DOT, that they have no record of any reportable or non‑reportable crashes at the intersection of Flowing Springs Road and School House Lane during the period 1/1/2005 thru 4/4/2010."

Carullo Associates, Inc., Transportation Engineers / Planners, responded on May 24, 2010 to the above-referenced letter (from Heinrich and Klein Assoc, Inc.) regarding the traffic study for Birchrun Village Office Development, stating "nothing in the response or new material, changes our opinion disagreeing with four-way traffic control at the Flowing Springs Road / School House Lane intersection given the steep slopes of the approaches. Given these steep slopes, vehicle movements with four-way stop signs during winter months will be hazardous."

The road grade conditions that caused those earlier concerns have not changed and still exist. As a result, we, as residents, strongly object to the proposed four‑way stop sign agreeing with the Carullo Associates statement. Additionally the obtrusive 24/7 flashing lights will be the first in the township. Will this set a precedent?

Please, remember the 4-way Stop would be installed to allow the maximum development at 2200 Flowing Springs Road. If the proposed development were appropriately sized for the site, perhaps our village roads would not have to be altered to accommodate it and preserve the village atmosphere.

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Please sign the petition letter below by filling in the name and address boxes at the right and be sure to add your comments to let PennDOT and the West Vicent Board of Supervisors know what you think!