Earlier in February, a car struck a home in the area of New Elm Street/Conshohocken Road in Conshohocken (Plymouth Township). This followed an incident in recent months that saw a car strike a fence around a home at the intersection with Light Street, and an accident last year involving a pedestrian being struck.
For years, residents in this area have asked most notably for a stop sign at Light Street and at least one sidewalk along the roadway. Thus far it hasn’t happened.
PennDOT claims that the intersection with Light Street doesn’t warrant s stop sign, but has stated that there is a plan for a crosswalk with overhead signs announcing the intersection.
Plymouth Township officials point to a sidewalk in the area being difficult to create due I-476 crossing through the area, limited space along the roadway, the slope on western side of the street near the steel mill, and existing roadside parking.
The wave of development in the Borough of Conshohocken has brought additional traffic to the West Elm to Conshohocken Road corridor and that is about to grow with the opening of the 348-init Madison West Elm apartment community at 400 West Elm Street and the 2030 addition of ramps for the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the far end of Conshohocken Road at Ridge Pike.
Vince Mignogna, who is the owner of the home that was recently struck, would like at least temporarily for concrete barriers or a guard rail installed near his home to prevent vehicles from hitting his home. Township officials offered to investigate options.
Mignogna also thanked the township for the number of vehicles he has seen recently be pulled over in the area due for speeding.
Jamie Martino, whose fence outside her family’s home was hit by a vehicle, pointed to the rash of recent accidents along the roadway and shared that she is afraid for her children living in this neighborhood.
The next person who spoke was Ardis Lukens, who was the person behind the holiday decorations that were along the street in recent months. She did that in an effort to slow traffic.
Lukens, who has been involved in the issue for approximately 20 years, spoke the most forcibly and stressed that the neighbors do not think the township cares and that it needs to take action. She stated that the Connaughton section of the township if often ignored and the residents there deserve a safe way to walk in the neighborhood.
If you are not familiar, Connaughton is a historic neighborhood at the border of the Borough of Conshohocken and Plymouth Township around the steel plant.
Lukens focused on the request for a sidewalk and shared what she feels is feasible.
Dan Gallagher asked if the township has broached the subject with the steel plant and how they could help (in regards to their land). Township officials stated that they hadn’t due to their not knowing what is feasible yet and whether the plant’s help would be needed.
You can listen to the public comments on the issue below (we cued the video to start in the correct place).
Photos: Plymouth Fire Company