Delaware County Planning Department Transportation Planning

DCPD’s Transportation section also advocates for pedestrian improvements. Delaware County is a relatively built-up area with sidewalks on many streets and roads. A large percentage of the population also uses transit and needs to walk to transit stops or stations from their homes and from transit to their workplace or other destinations.

As part of DVRPC’s Pedestrian Safety and Accessibility study, DCPD nominated the Secane train station area as the location to study in Delaware County. Because of the lack of sidewalks and crosswalks on Providence Road and other obstacles, walking in this area can be very dangerous. Staff is working with local governments, PennDOT, and SEPTA to install sidewalks, crosswalks, and other facilities to increase safety, thereby improving pedestrian access to the station and to local businesses. In 2004, SEPTA improved the R3/Providence Road crossing road surface by widening it, thus making it safer for pedestrians to cross the tracks adjacent to Providence Road. As part of SEPTA’s proposed Secane station reconfiguration and expansion, safe pedestrian access from Bishop Avenue to the station will be provided. PennDOT staff prepared a preliminary sketch of sidewalks, crosswalks, and other pedestrian features for Providence Road between North Avenue and Bishop Avenue, to be used when federal, state, or local funding is available.

DCPD was also involved in the effort to improve pedestrian safety along Manchester Avenue connecting Media, the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology (PIT), and the Moylan-Rose Valley train station. Planners worked with Nether Providence and Upper Providence Townships, PIT, PennDOT, and SEPTA to construct sidewalks, crosswalks, and signing so that area residents, PIT students and staff, and SEPTA bus, trolley, and train riders can safely walk in this area. In late 2007, PIT constructed a sidewalk from Wallingford Avenue to the train station. In 2009, Upper Providence Township constructed a sidewalk from Wallingford Avenue to Idlewild Lane to complete the system.

The Transportation section also evaluates pedestrian access and safety as part of DCPD’s review of land development and subdivision plans. Staff recommends that property owners, developers, and municipal governments make improvements for pedestrians at various locations. In addition, staff periodically inspect SEPTA stations and major bus stops and make recommendations for pedestrian facilities to SEPTA.