PennDOT, the state’s department of transportation, finally announced revisions to its plans for the final phase of its Route 1 reconstruction project. Officials claimed that, after listening to community concerns, they have decided to keep nearly all the service roads along the route as local streets.
This is undeniably a win, and one only achieved through advocacy. I’m proud of the community that came together to have their voices heard.
While the current revisions are a start, they don’t go nearly far enough to address the concerns of those who live in the area directly impacted by this multi-year infrastructure project. To quote a member of the No Cloverleaf Coalition, these “half measures … are lipstick on what is still a pig of a project.”
Since the start of my campaign, I’ve been listening closely to the citizens of Langhorne Borough, Langhorne Manor Borough, and Middletown Township. I’ve heard their concerns.
They are worried about increased traffic, environmental risks, and the safety of pedestrians on local streets if the final phase of the Route 1 project goes forward as planned. Specifically, they would like to stop the construction of a partial cloverleaf interchange on Route 413; this would prevent the heavy highway traffic from being funneled into historic local streets and residential neighborhoods, and also maintain connectivity of the service roads to Rt. 1
These are significant considerations that need to be holistically considered, not just addressed by a patchwork of revised plans. I’m happy to see the state has decided to preserve our service roads and maintain them as local streets, but the work isn’t finished and I will continue to stand with residents of the community as they advocate for an alternative that will work for them.
This isn’t just about a road construction project, I believe my job as your next state representative for the 142nd district in Pennsylvania is to listen closely to the constituents I represent and to make sure their voices are heard by the powerful players in our state. Public outcry makes one thing clear: this project moved forward without first engaging the community it would disrupt.
READ: Route 1 Reconstruction Slated for Bucks County Has Local Residents Concerned
We need leaders who will actually listen and then push back against officials when we ask. I plan to use my voice to speak out on behalf of the people who are directly affected by this project. I will do so every time the people of my district have a concern.
To me, that’s the difference between representing a district and merely occupying its seat. The people of Langhorne Borough, Langhorne Manor Borough, and Middletown Township didn’t ask for a partial fix dressed up as a full solution; they asked to be heard. I intend to make sure they are. That’s the fight I’m in, and it’s the fight I’ll keep stepping up for on their behalf.
