Going to get slower through township

Levittown - Motorists looking to shave a few minutes off their commute by going off the beaten path in Bedminster should beware.The township plans to lower the speed limit on at least two roads.Scott Road, which runs from Smith School Road to Quarry Road, will be lowered from 45 mph to 35 mph. The same goes for the portion of Bucks Road between Route 113 and Elephant Road.Development and gridlock on the major arteries in the area have increased speed and traffic volume on what once were sleepy country roads, said Eric Schaffhausen, Bedminster supervisor."People are looking at ways to wiggle through the township," he added. "These are all roads that in my memory were dirt."Bedminster police have been conducting traffic studies on the two township-controlled streets and have determined that traffic levels meet state Department of Transportation standards for a speed reduction, said Jack Terry, township manager.The township will hold a public hearing on the speed limit changes at its Dec. 9 meeting.After the lower speed-limit signs are installed, police will likely step up enforcement "until people get used to" the new limits, Schaffhausen said.In other traffic-related news, Bedminster officials announced that the journey toward installing a traffic light at Deep Run Road and Route 611 is close to fruition.PennDOT and the township are finalizing a design, and costs for the light are expected to range between $100,000 and $110,000, Schaffhausen said.He added that the light should be up and running by mid-May 2010.Theresa Hegel can be reached at 215-538-6381 or thegel@phillyburbs.com.

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