What's Next For Township Roads

Driving around Northampton Township can be beautiful and quite pleasant until, wham, the car hits a pothole and your world is literally rocked.

Sound familiar? Last week Northampton Patch showcased five of the worst roads and bridges in township lines including 2nd Street Pike, Elm Avenue, Hatboro Road, the Mill Creek bridge on Bristol Road and the Ironworks Creek Bridge on Chinquapin Road. 

PennDOT spokesman Gene Blaum said the department is aware of the poor state of bridges in Pennsylvania, recently qualified by a study produced by the advocacy group Transportation for America. According to the study, Pennsylvania holds the top spot for the most deteriorating bridges in the country, a whopping 26.5 percent.

Northampton is no exception, but township officials are already aware of the worst spots and ready to take them on.

For 2011, the township plans repave primarily main roads, as opposed to smaller roads in developments, Public Works Director Bob Kulp said.

However, the weather hasn't quite warmed up enough for paving season to really get underway, he said.

"We're just trying to keep roads in tact for now," Kulp said. 

It's important to keep in mind that not all of the roads running through the township are maintained by the township, he said. 

The full list of the township's proposed paving projects is available on the township's website. Also, PennDOT provides an updated list of current road closures due to construction in the Greater Philadelphia region. They also provide a list of current construction projects.