Traffic volume and how it could be affected by the proposed Wegman’s development were the topics of the April 25 hearing into the matter in Concord Township.
Traffic engineer Andreas Heinrich testified on behalf of Glen Eagle Square, one of the entities opposing the development. He challenged findings previously presented by the applicant’s engineer.
Under direct examination, he said that the current traffic plan would have a negative impact along routes 1 and 202 and result in a degradation of service along numerous intersections in both Concord and Chadds Ford Townships.
He said the applicant’s traffic plan was way too conservative in anticipating increased traffic, that the real increase would be twice the anticipated amount and that the queues could be longer than the distance between intersections.
Heinrich specifically cited intersections along Route 202 at Applied Card Way, Hillman Drive and Ridge Road in Chadds Ford Township and along Route 1 at Applied Card Way and Brinton Lake Road in Concord.
He said the intersection at Route 202 and Ridge Road was already poor and would become overly congested with this development.
While the plan calls for building another leg of the loop road connecter between routes 1 and 202 on the south east corner of the intersection, Heinrich said the road would be deficient.
Attorney Robert Gundlach Jr., representing Chadds Ford Investors, the applicant, did not cross-examine the witness saying he would need time to review the report from which Heinrich was referring.
An agreement was reached between attorneys, supervisors and the township solicitor in which both sides would get together within the next few weeks to develop a modified plan that would satisfy both parties.
The hearing will resume Tuesday, May 7 right after the regular Board of Supervisors meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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I don’t think we need any more major building around Painters Cross Roads. It doesn’t make any sense to create more traffic in an area that is stopped or crawling most of the time.
Dan Doubet
I personally welcome the addition of Wegmans and the new loop road. As a relatively new resident of the West Chester/Chadds Ford area, the quick-access to quality shopping was one of the key reasons my wife and I had for choosing this location for our home. We have been happily surprised by the number of improvements an additions that have already occurred since our arrival.
I do agree traffic is already very congested at the intersections of Route 1 and 202 and, if not properly considered, adding even more could be disastrous and possibly dangerous. I am ultimately optimistic that the addition of the new leg will filter traffic passing through from those turning. It would also provide an additional detour route when the inevitable accident occurs at the intersection. I’d love to see less accidents occur simply by seeing less drivers needing to turn at Rt 1 and 202.
Hopefully an agreement can be found soon and the residents of the area can enjoy Wegmans and provide the local economy with an additional revenue source.