Pedestrian Warning Beacons Coming To 2 Newtown Twp. Intersections: Find Out Which Ones

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Work is underway on two key pedestrian safety improvement projects in the township.

Through a grant obtained by the township, flashing beacons are in the process of being installed at the mid-block intersection of Tara Boulevard and Newtown-Yardley Road and on North Sycamore Street at Silo Drive.

Both projects are aimed at slowing down traffic and alerting motorists to pedestrian crossings.

The work is being done in two phases. The initial stage of sidewalk cutouts has been completed. The contractor is now awaiting the delivery of the decorative poles that will hold the flashing beacons.

T. Schiefer Contractors Inc. of Doylestown is installing the pedestrian-activated warning beacons under a bid awarded by the township last fall.

Grants totaling $375,000 will cover most of the cost of the projects with funding coming from
PennDOT's Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) Funding Program and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development Keystone Communities Grant.

The push-button Rapid Flashing Beacons are part of a two-pronged plan of action approved by Newtown Township in December 2022 to address safety concerns with the Tara Boulevard
mid-block crossing on the Newtown-Yardley Road and along the busy North Sycamore Street corridor.

The plan also included a reduction in the speed limit on North Sycamore Street from 35 to 25 mph and on the Newtown-Yardley Road between the borough line and Dolington Road. Both speed limit reductions took effect in early 2023.