Late in 2015, the Hopewell Township committee appointed seven residents of the Titusville area of the Township, along with Township Administrator/Engineer Paul Pogorzelski, to the Titusville Village Traffic Study Committee.
The group was charged with examining the River Drive area in the “village” portion of Titusville with respect to how traffic should flow when two bridges on River Drive are rebuilt. Both bridges have been closed due to damage/failure since Hurricane Irene. Mercer County, which is responsible for local bridges and culverts, has determined that the bridges will be rebuilt.
The traffic study committee therefore, is not to decide whether to rebuild the bridges, but instead how traffic should flow through the historic village once the bridges are reconstructed.
The bridges are located on the north and south end of the village on River Drive. River Drive is a picturesque two lane road that runs from Washington Crossing State Park to State Highway 29. Many local residents have expressed their feelings to elected officials regarding the reconstruction of the bridges and the reopening of the roadway. Feelings run from keeping the road closed after the bridges are completed to fully opening the road. Concerns expressed include cut through commuter traffic, speeding vehicles, pedestrian/bicycle safety, and emergency services access, among others.
The study group has been meeting since the April 2016 and has considered options for each bridge.
The group will hold a public meeting on December 1st at 7 PM at the Union Fire Company and Rescue Squad building on Route 29 and Park Lake Avenue. The intent of this meeting is to seek public input before the study group finalizes its recommendations for elected officials.
