Streets and Right of Ways
Streets
There are three types of roads in Tredyffrin Township: Township, State and Private.
The Township maintains about 107 miles of road. Maintenance includes: line painting, signing, signaling, street sweeping, lighting, paving, plowing. and other maintenance (potholes).
Roads like Routes 202, 30, 252, Upper Gulph and Conestoga Roads are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). There are approximately 42 miles of PennDOT roads in Tredyffrin Township.
Private roads are owned and maintained by residents along these roads. Typically homeowners or civic associations collect fees to ensure these roads are maintained properly.
Right of Ways
In addition to the paved portion of the roadway, the right-of-way extends beyond the curb and sidewalk. The right-of-way provides access to pedestrians and motorist and provides areas for utilities such as gas, electric, water, communications and sewers.
The typical Tredyffrin road right-of-way is 50 feet. Some older roads have right-of-way widths of 33 feet or 40 feet depending upon the age and use of the road. Larger volume roadways have a much larger right-of-way to allow for more lanes of traffic, heavier use and the location.
Intersection corners are to be kept clear of vegetation and other obstructions for proper sight distance. Property owners are responsible for keeping their corners clear and unobstructed by keeping trees, branches and hedges trimmed. The Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code places the burden of clearing corner obstructions on the property owner, even if the obstruction is in the right of way.
In addition to keeping corner obstructions clear, property owners that have a fire hydrant in front of or along their property should insure that the hydrant is kept clear of brushes and other vegetation. The hydrant should be visible at all times to save firefighters time in case of a fire.
Trees abutting the street or in the right-of-way are the responsibility of the property owner to maintain. In the event of a storm and the tree falls into the street, Public Works crews will clear the roadway and place the tree in the area from which it fell. It is then the responsibility of the property owner to remove the debris.
Property owners should also insure that the trees are not blocking traffic signs or street lights.
Questions should be directed to publicworks@tredyffrin.org or 610-408-3620.
