With Rt. 52 closed, narrow roadway is used to get to Rt. 926
By Kelli Siehl, Staff Writer, The Times
Although signs have been posted advising against suing Denton Hollow Road as a detour route for the closed Rt. 52, local residents say they’re still seeing speeding, reckless driving and excessive traffic on their roadway.
POCOPSON — During Monday night’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting, residents living along Denton Hollow Road demanded the township take action to stop the roadway from being used as a temporary cut through during completion of the route 52 roundabout.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) closed Rt. 52 two weeks ago to finish constructing the roundabout linking it, Lenape-Unionville and Wawaset Roads. Randy and Sarah Mims, along with their neighbors, told supervisors about many near misses between speeding drivers unfamiliar with the narrow roadway and its one-lane stone bridge.
Residents said they have seen “some improvements” with signage warning of dangerous conditions placed at both entrances to the thruway and labeling the one lane bridge, but said more still needs to be done. The Mims’ said they gave officials a list of short and long term solutions two weeks ago and have contacted the township office by phone and email but have gotten no response.
Supervisors Chair Ricki Stumpo apologized for the delay and asked residents to address any concerns to her attention by either email or by calling the township office.
Director of Public Works Mark Knightly said he could obtain a portable speed limit monitor, ask the county for better bridge signage and is working to have a guide rail placed along an area with a steep embankment. He said the State Police are monitoring the situation and are showing an increased presence on area roads.
When asked if the road could be temporarily closed to all but local traffic or designated as a one-way thruway, officials said their attorney advised against the action because the township can authorize a closing only if the road is in need of repairs and even then, the repairs must be made immediately and the road reopened.
Stumpo said the township is receiving many calls from residents who live along area roads which are being used to bypass the Rt. 52 closure. These residents, she said, are also reporting an increased number of vehicles, incidents of speeding and reckless driving. Stumpo said the township is taking these complaints seriously and working to do everything in their power to appease residents’ concerns. Randy Mims told Supervisors, “we’re not trying to be appeased, we’re trying to get safety.”
Rt. 52 is slated for closure until mid-September and drivers are asked to follow the designated detours and travel safely through the township. Denton Hollow Road is not a designated detour. Designated detours are route 926 (Street Road) and Pocopson Road. Route 52 will remain open to Red Bridge Lane for LOCAL southbound traffic and to Parkersville Road for LOCAL Northbound traffic.
I agree with Nancy. I am a taxpayer in Pocopson Township. Legally how can you shut down a township road and determine who can and cannot have access when the road is paid for and maintained by money from the taxpayers of Pocopson Township and PA ? Denton Hollow is a very difficult road to travel fast on and showcases why people want to live in Pocopson Township. I found the signs that were installed saying the road was not a detour very offensive.
With all due respect to the residents of Denton Hollow Road, I am a township taxpayer and I have every right to drive on Denton hollow Road as much as anyone else. I drive the speed limit and am considerate to the residents. This detour is impacting us all.
How about locust grove road and wawaset? These roads are used as a detour for the closed rt 52. The detour goes right through the middle of pocopson park. I have been brushed, on numerous occasions, by speeding vehicles while on my walk to the park. I also have been almost hit coming out of my driveway off locust grove road from drivers flying over or up the hill. These drivers are not only speeding but out right reckless. The township told me to ‘write a letter’ but gave me no other ways of addressing the issue. they refuse to put signs on locust grove to reduce speeding, saying ‘research suggest they don’t work/do more harm then good’ but could not source the ‘researchers’ when asked. The day a child is hit by a speeding car is the day they will realize they are liable and need to take action. Not just request strongly worded letters. I am going to speculate that pen dot grants the township a payment for using the roads as a detour.