April 8, 2021

1-and-202 — The concept for improving the intersection of Routes 1 and 202. Yellow indicates proposed new drive lanes and green indicates planned landscaped islands.

Chadds Ford Township engineer Mike Schneider was clear: “It’s still in the concept design stage.” That concept, which still needs full approval, engineering, and some land acquisition, is a PennDOT plan to improve the intersection of Routes 1 and 202.

Schneider, of Pennoni Engineering, gave a brief presentation on the plan during the April 7 Board of Supervisors’ meeting. He said it’s a PennDOT-funded project with a $2.6 million budget for roadway improvements “at and around the intersection of 202 and 1, which, as we know, is the most heavily traveled intersection in this area, possibly in the state.”

Urban Engineers is working on the design for PennDOT, and Schneider said they’re looking for public feedback. A copy of the plan will be posted on the Chadds Ford and Concord townships’ websites for review since the work involves both townships. Schneider added that they are not yet sure how Urban wants to receive comments.

“There will be more public comments and input to come” in future meetings, he said, and there will eventually be a complete presentation from PennDOT and its consultants.

Highlights of the idea include widening the eastbound lanes of Route 1 just before Route 202 to create a combination right turn and straight through lane at the Sunoco station. Some land would need to be taken from that gas station to create that new traffic lane.

There would also be a second left-turn lane on northbound 202 at Route 1, and the left turn lane from westbound Route 1 onto Dickinson Drive would be eliminated.

Farther north on 202, at its intersection with Brandywine and State Farm drives, dedicated left-turn lanes will be installed. The straight thru lanes at those two side streets would also be realigned.

There would also be changes at Route 1 and State Farm Drive/Applied Card Way. The free flow right turn lane from westbound Route 1 onto State Farm Drive would be changed. The right turn would be controlled with a traffic light, and the small island would be removed.

Schneider also said the current concrete islands in the vicinity of the main intersection would be changed to landscaped islands.

He again stressed that the project is still a concept, not even in the design stage yet. He will provide more information as it becomes available.

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.

Around Town April 8

Along the Ford

• On April 29, 2021, the Bethesda Project will partner with Victoria Wyeth, granddaughter of esteemed Pennsylvania artist Andrew Wyeth, for an intimate conversation about her uncle James Browning Wyeth’s life and works. The event will be held virtually at 7 p.m. that evening and will cost $50 per device. Individuals can purchase tickets for the event here. Bethesda Project has been providing emergency shelter, housing, and supportive services for thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia since 1979.

• Private instruction is available at Darlington Art Center for all ages on instruments including piano, violin, viola, bass guitar, drums/percussion, flute, guitar, saxophone, trumpet, and voice. Call 610-358-3632 or request information online at DarlingtonArts.org > Programs > Private Music Lessons. Save $20 on 2021-2022 Academic Year Lessons when you register for 4 Summer Lessons by April 30. For fees and other information, go here.

• There will be a recycling event for Concord Township residents only on Saturday, April 17 at the public works building from 8-11 a.m. Masks must be worn and proof of residency will also be required. Recycle electronics (anything with a plug), shred documents, donate used clothing and other household items, and dispose of unwanted or unused medications. There is a limit of one TV or computer monitor per household. Smoke detectors, large appliances, projection TVs, wooden console TVs, hazardous waste, loose batteries, or fluorescent bulbs are not accepted. Council will give a free native tree to every car that drives through on Recycling Day as part of an Earth Day Initiative.

• The Chadds Ford Civic Association Cleanup Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 1. Meet up is at 8 a.m. at the township building. Bring gloves and a water bottle, the association will supply the safety vests and trash bags.

The Chadds Ford Historical Society’s art show is Saturday, May 15 at Thornbury Farm.

• The Chadds Ford Historical Society will have a spring art show on Saturday, May 15, at Thornbury farm, from noon to 8 p.m. It’s an all-day outdoor event with food and live music. Admission is free. Go here for more information.

• Those who love gardening but need reliable science-based answers to their gardening problems are encouraged to check out the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Chester County. Find answers about growing vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, native plants, invasive species, turfgrass, plant identification, pruning, trees, and insect and disease problems—all free of charge. The Garden Hotline will be staffed during the workweek, beginning April 15. The staff can be reached by email at chestermg@psu.edu, or by phone at 610-696-3500. Or visit the website.

• Penn State Brandywine’s Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement will host a series of virtual events from April 12 to 16 as part of the campus’s annual Social Justice Fair. The theme of this year’s fair is Mass Incarceration and Racial Justice. There are five programs presented that are free of charge on Zoom. For more information, visit the website.