County Line Road to Reopen Next Week Under Improvement Project Scheduled to Finish Two Years Early in Horsham, Warrington Townships

King of Prussia, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that County Line Road will reopen next week under an $11.2 improvement project in Warrington Township, Bucks County and Horsham Township, Montgomery County, which will be completed later this year, more than two years ahead of schedule.

The project began in March 2021 to rebuild and improve a 3.1-mile section of County Line Road between Kulp Road and Easton Road (Route 611) to provide motorists with uniform, 11-foot-wide travel lanes and five-foot-wide shoulders between Kulp Road and Easton Road (Route 611).

The project was originally scheduled to finish in 2026; however, the implementation of an accelerated timeframe for bridge replacement and the combination of construction stages helped reduce the construction schedule by more than two years. The project is currently scheduled to be completed this fall following final paving, line striping and other construction activities that will require lane closures during off-peak travel times. There are no additional full closures planned for the remainder of this project.

Beginning Tuesday morning, September 19, westbound County Line Road will be reopen to traffic between Fairmount Avenue and Kulp Road East as eastbound traffic is shifted onto the newly constructed eastbound lanes in that section to complete Stage 2 construction under this improvement project.

Stage 2 construction followed Stages 1, 3, and 4, in which PennDOT’s contractor replaced the deteriorating masonry arch bridge carrying County Line Road over a tributary to Little Neshaminy Creek with a six-foot-wide, single-span extension. The bridge was initially planned to close for replacement in 2023; however, due to damage the bridge sustained during Tropical Storm Ida in September 2021, the department accelerated the timeframe for building the new replacement structure.

PennDOT’s contractor also rebuilt and raised the elevation of County Line Road between Park Road and Bradford Road to enhance safety and drainage; performed intersection improvements at Folly Road, Maggie Way, and the Bradford Green Drives; and widened shoulders and resurfaced the roadway between Kulp Road East and Fairmont Avenue.

Additional improvements include upgrading traffic signals, ADA curb ramps, guiderail and drainage; and performing additional work items to enhance safety and travel for the motoring public.

James D. Morrissey, Inc., of Philadelphia, is the general contractor on the project, which is financed with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state funds.

For more information, visit the County Line Road Improvement Project page.

Please be advised that the contractor will commence milling and restoration paving of Ferry Road starting on 9-12-23 in a southern direction from Swamp Road (Rt 313) and headed toward Park Avenue.  While the majority of this operation will be to restore the south bound lane of Ferry Road, it unfortunately will SEVERLY restrict (CLOSE) traffic in both directions with exception of emergency vehicles.  If you attempt to travel through the immediate work zone during the work hours of 9 am to 3 pm, you will undoubtedly encounter travel delays as the milling and paving operation require both lanes to be closed during this process.  The NWWA and the other entities involved appreciate your continued cooperation as this project continues to near completion.

Construction Advisories

Ferry Road Milling and Paving

Turkey Hoagies and Bake Sale
Saturday, September 23, 2023
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM or until sold out
Chalfont Fire House, 301 N Main Street in Chalfont

Featuring fresh roasted turkey breast and their secret sauce
$10 each
Information or advanced orders: 215-822-2251

Two weeks left!  Penn State Extension Native Tree & Shrub Sale

The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program of Bucks County is hosting its fourth annual online Native Tree and Shrub fundraiser. The sale features a limited supply of 28 different native trees and shrubs that provide food, shelter, and nesting habitat for wildlife, as well as privacy, shade, foliage, and landscape beautification.

“There is something truly magical that happens when you start adding native species to the landscape. It’s one of the top ways to invite more birds, butterflies, and native bee species to your yard,” says Leah Zerbe, a nature columnist and Master Watershed Steward. “If you plant it, they will come!”

Planting trees and shrubs is also a great way to reduce flooding, stabilize soil, and filter pollutants. All trees and shrubs are native to Pennsylvania and sourced from a preeminent native plant nursery. Proceeds from this fundraiser support the Bucks County Master Watershed Steward program and its efforts to share education and inspire improvements within our local watersheds. And remember, fall is one of the best times to plant new trees!  Learn more about the tree sale by visiting  https://extension.psu.edu/master-watershed-steward-native-tree-and-shrub-sale

 Ordering Details:  Orders are being accepted from July 27, 2023, through August 27, 2023, or until sold out.

Order Link:  https://tinyurl.com/TreeShrubSale

Phone orders: Please call 1-877-345-0691, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Pick-Up Day:  Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 p.m.
Pick-Up Location: Warwick Memorial Park, 1200 Memorial Drive, Jamison, PA 18929
All orders must be placed online or by phone. No plants will be sold at the pick-up location.

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If you were hoping to purchase certain species from our Master Watershed Steward native tree and shrub sale only to find them sold out, we were able to restock a few species! Here’s the list.

About the Penn State Master Watershed Steward Program

The Penn State Master Watershed Steward volunteer program educates and empowers citizens to protect environmental resources. After receiving 40+ hours of training, Master Watershed Steward volunteers give back to their communities by offering educational opportunities, collecting citizen science data, organizing stream clean-ups, working on wildlife habitat and stream restoration projects, and more. For questions about the program or to learn how you can become a Master Watershed Steward volunteer in Bucks County, please contact program coordinator Kathleen Connally at kxc30@psu.edu

The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact us at 610-489-4315 in advance of your participation or visit.

–Kathleen Connally

Master Watershed Steward Coordinator, Bucks and Montgomery Counties
Home office:

Penn State Extension Bucks County
576 Penns Park Rd
Newtown, PA 18940

267-483-2020

kxc30@psu.edu

http://extension.psu.edu/bucks

http://extension.psu.edu/montgomery

Help Protect Bucks and Montgomery Counties’ Streams, Rivers, and Wildlife Habitat
Support the Bucks County Master Watershed Steward Program
www.giveto.psu.edu/BucksCountyMasterWatershed

Support the Montgomery County Master Watershed Steward Program

www.giveto.psu.edu/MontgomeryCountyMasterWatershed

This is a message from Bucks County Emergency Services

An Excessive Heat Warning will be in effect in Bucks County from 10:00 AM on 7/27/23 through 6:00 PM on 7/29/23.
Cooling centers in Upper and Lower Bucks will be open Thursday through Saturday to seniors and people experiencing homelessness who are seeking refuge from the extreme heat. The following locations will operate from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM as cooling centers for seniors and the homeless:

Riegelsville Borough Hall
615 Easton Road
Riegelsville, PA 18077
610-749-2726

Morrisville Senior Service Center
31 E. Cleveland Avenue
Morrisville, PA 19067
215-295-0567

YMCA of Bucks County– Warminster Branch
624 York Road
Warminster, PA 18974
267-387-9622

YMCA of Bucks County – Fairless Hills Branch
601 S. Oxford Valley Road
Fairless Hills, PA 19030
215-949-3400

Bristol Borough Senior Center
301 Wood Street
Bristol, PA 19007
215-788-9238

Bristol Township Senior Center
2501 Bath Rd.
Bristol, PA 19007

Bensalem Senior Citizens Center 
1850 Byberry road.
Bensalem PA 19020
215-638-7720

Thank you,
Bucks EMA

THANK YOU, SPONSORS!

Chalfont Residents, due to the 4th of July holiday occurring on a Tuesday, Republic Services is pushing your trash & recycling pickup to Wednesday, July 5th.  Please put your toters curbside the night before.  See schedule below.

Republic Services Mailer June 2023 to May 2024 edited

Tuesday, July 4th Tri-Municipal Parade from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.  ROADS WILL BE CLOSED ALONG PARADE ROUTE: Starting at Town Center on Butler Ave in New Britain Borough, down to N. Main St. in Chalfont, up to Park Ave, along Park Ave ending at North Branch Park (207 Park Avenue).

Tri-Municipal 4th of July Parade will take place on Tuesday, July 4th @ 9:30 AM, begins at Town Center in New Britain Borough and ends at North Branch Park in New Britain Township.  All are welcome!  Event_July4th_InformationalFlyer (1)

PennDOT, PA Turnpike Highlight National Pollinator Week

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) are recognizing National Pollinator Week with updates on pollinator plantings around the state.

Roadside pollinator plantings, led by PennDOT, PA Turnpike and other partner organizations are taking place around Pennsylvania. PennDOT has overseen more than 40 acres of pilot pollinator plantings with an additional 25 acres of habitat in progress. Areas targeted for pollinator-specific plantings are continually monitored by maintenance teams for the presence of invasive species and weeds as well as healthy growth and pollinator activity.

In addition to plantings, PennDOT seed mixture updates took effect earlier this year. Seed mix updates removed notable non-native and invasive plants and added pollinator-friendly plants such as black-eyed susans (Rudbeckia hirta), ox-eye sunflowers (Heliopsis helianthoides) and common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

“The degradation and loss of pollinator habitats is a risk to those affected species as well as pollinator dependent crops across the state,” said PennDOT Executive Deputy Secretary Cheryl Moon-Sirianni. “We invite every Pennsylvanian to join us in their own gardens, or with PennDOT through the Adopt and Beautify program.”

The PA Turnpike has piloted five pollinator habitats across the state. Within those locations there are 19 different plots for a total of over 10 acres which utilize a variety of seed mixes and management practices. These plots include many of PennDOT’s seed mixes of 16 different native plants. The seeds include an array of native wildflowers like lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), mint plants like anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), herbaceous perennials like milkweed species (Asclepias sp.) and wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), as well as the flowering plant foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis).

“Pollinator habitats provide an array of colors and fragrance,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “But more importantly these natural gardens, comprised of native plants, promote, protect and preserve pollinating animals.”

PennDOT’s Pollinator Habitat Plan, adopted in 2019, is operated in partnership with other federal and state agencies, private and community organizations, to create naturalized gardens and meadows planted with pollinator-friendly plant species at designated sites. Highway rights-of-way have been recognized nationally as lands that have potential to provide habitats for pollinators and support corridor connectivity for pollinators.

In November 2022, Act 112 established the Pollinator Habitat Program Fund to be supported in-part by purchases of the new Pollinator license plate PennDOT announced earlier this year. The fund will create naturalized gardens and meadows planted with pollinator-friendly species of flowering plants specifically for bees, butterflies, beetles, and other insects which may have been adversely affected by the loss of their native habitat. Sixty-five percent of the proceeds from the license plate will be deposited into the Pollinator Habitat Program Fund.

The Pollinator license plate is now available for passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds. Applicants for the Pollinator license plate must submit a completed Form MV-911, “Application for Special Fund Registration Plate.” More information, including eligibility requirements and image of license plates, is available on the Registration Plates page on PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.

National Pollinator Week is recognized internationally during the last full week in June as an opportunity to spread awareness about the importance of pollinator species to the eco-system and promote native pollinator gardens.

Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation, increased pesticide use and introduced diseases are threatening pollinators around the world. Native pollinator-positive plants are a critical link in Pennsylvania’s eco-system providing habitat for pollinators like butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to support crops and local biodiversity.

If you’re interested in taking part in Pollinator Week, please consider planting native pollinator-friendly plants. Additionally, interested citizens can apply to the PennDOT Adopt and Beautify and Keystone Pollinator Habitat programs to get involved locally.

To learn more about the PA Turnpike’s pollinator gardens and other sustainable initiatives click here: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Releases 2022 Sustainability Report (paturnpike.com)