A
PLAN FOR CIRCULATION
Overview
The Circulation Plan is based on Section 301.(a)(3) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) which requires that a Comprehensive Plan include:
“A plan for movement of people and goods, which may include expressways, highways, local street systems, parking facilities, pedestrian and bikeway systems, public transit routes, terminals, airfields, port facilities, railroad facilities, and other similar facilities or uses.”
Transportation planning can have a significant impact on land use and on a community’s quality of life. A balance must be reached to allow for the safe flow of traffic, and to plan for appropriate improvements in conjunction future development. It is the intent of this Plan to highlight needed circulation system improvements that will enhance the safety and efficiency of the Township’s road network, while avoiding the effect of increased accessibility to lands in the Township’s interior. This approach is consistent with the overall goal of preserving the rural character and sensitive natural features of the Township. This chapter describes Charlestown Township’s existing circulation system and provides recommendations for future circulation system improvements. It focuses on current roadway conditions, scenic roads, public transportation systems, functional classification of roads, recommendations for future circulation system improvements, and regional transportation system initiatives.
Existing Roadway Conditions
Charlestown Township is traversed by a road network consisting of local and rural roads and regional and state highways (Appendix G). Local roads in the Township’s interior are often noted for their scenic quality. These two lane, backcountry roads lend themselves to the rural character of the community. In fact, many of these roads originated as Indian trails and farm lanes and have maintained a scale and design that is compatible with the scenic landscapes through which they meander.
On the other hand, major regional routes attract large volumes of through-traffic leading to severe traffic congestion problems, especially during peak periods. Five major arteries traverse the Township – Route 29/Phoenixville Pike, Route 401/Conestoga Road, Charlestown Road, Whitehorse Road, and Yellow Springs Road. The Pennsylvania Turnpike bisects the southern portion of the Township running in an east-west orientation from the Tredyffrin-East Whiteland border to West Pikeland Township. The nearest Turnpike interchanges are located at Valley Forge (Route 202) and Downingtown (Route 100).
While increased development within Charlestown has contributed to the number of vehicles on its roads, the vast majority of the traffic originates outside of the Township. Much of this traffic passes through Charlestown, coming from municipalities to the north, destined to places such as the Great Valley Corporate Center, Exton, King of Prussia, and the Main Line. A survey of 21,332 employees of the Great Valley Corporate Center, conducted by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in 2000, found that approximately 7,000 employees travel to work from counties to the north, including Bucks, Montgomery, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Luzerne, and Lackawanna Counties. Another 9,087 come from within Chester County. It is possible to surmise that much of this traffic passes through Charlestown Township. This is evidenced by the severe traffic congestion in the Devault area during daily morning and evening rush hours.
As residential and commercial/office development in the region increases, Charlestown’s roads are forced to accommodate more and more vehicles. However, Charlestown’s road system has a limited capacity to handle this traffic. Projects such as the proposed Atwater development in neighboring East Whiteland and Tredyffrin Townships will provide thousands of jobs and will exacerbate this problem.
Scenic
Roads
Scenic roads provide visual access to the distinct landscape features that are integral to Charlestown’s heritage and character. They provide vistas of the Township’s valleys and hills, stream corridors, woodlands, farmlands, and historic areas, among other features. In many instances, the nature of the road itself is a part of the scenic resource, not just a point from which to view the scenery. This is especially true of many of the Townships meandering backcountry and rural roads. In other cases, the scenic character of a road may be disrupted by development that occurs without regard to its visual impact.
Further information on Scenic Roads can be found in the 1993 Open Space, Recreation, and Environmental Resources Plan. Map 5 of the Plan, entitled “Scenic, Historic, & Cultural Resources,” includes an inventory of scenic roads.
Public
Transportation
Regional public transportation services are operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and Amtrak. Charlestown Township’s access to public transportation service is limited. Neither SEPTA bus nor regional rail service pass through the Township; however, there are three routes that pass through nearby communities offering service to Charlestown residents. The SEPTA bus service – the Route 99, Norristown to Royersford via King of Prussia and Phoenixville - can be accessed in Phoenixville at Main and Bridge Streets. This route also provides limited service to the Valley Forge Christian College in Charlestown. The SEPTA R5 – Thorndale/Paoli and Central Philadelphia to Lansdale/Doylestown regional rail - is accessible from Malvern and Paoli, as well as many other points along the Main Line. Amtrak’s Keystone Service also runs on this line between Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and New York.
Countywide public transportation services are provided by the Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC). TMACC operates a bus service called the Phlyer between Spring City, Phoenixville, Great Valley (employment centers), and Exton.
Functional Classification of Roads
The existing roadway conditions discussed above are reflected in the functional classification of roads. The functional classification is a hierarchical classification system representative of a road’s utilization. It is based on a number of criteria including service characteristics and daily traffic volume. The classifications for a rural area system are as follows: Principal Arterial, Minor Arterial, Major Collector, Minor Collector and Local. Following is a list of characteristics that apply to the functional classifications of a rural area road system[1]. Refer to Map 9 for the locations of the roads designated in each category.
Interstate and
Other Limited Access Freeways
· Provides limited access facilities
Principal Arterial
· Serves statewide or interstate travel
· Serves all urbanized areas
· Provides integrated movements without stub connections
This Plan classifies the Pennsylvania Turnpike as Principal Arterial – Interstate.
Minor Arterial
· Links cities, larger towns and other traffic generators
· Provides integrated interstate and intercounty service
· Spaced at proper intervals consistent with population density
· Corridor movements consistent with the above, with greater trip lengths and travel densities than those served by rural collector or local systems
This Plan classifies Conestoga Road (Route 401), Phoenixville Pike, Morehall Road (Route 29), and Whitehorse Road as Minor Arterial roads.
Major Collector
· Provides service to county seats, larger towns and other traffic generators
· Connects routes of higher classification
· Serves intercounty travel corridors
This Plan classifies Charlestown Road and Cold Stream Road as Major Collector roads.
Map 9, Functional Classification of Roads
Minor Collector
· Spaced at intervals to collect traffic from local roads
· Provides services to remaining smaller communities
· Links
local traffic generators with rural hinterland
This Plan classifies Valley Hill Road (West of Route 401), Yellow Springs Road, Pikeland Road and Clothier Springs Road as Minor Collector roads.
Local Roads
· Provides access to land adjacent to collector network
· Serves travel over relatively short distances
· Constitutes all rural mileage not classified in one of the higher systems
For the purposes of this Comprehensive Plan, the local road classification has been further broken down into Local Primary, Local Secondary and Cul-de-Sac. The majority of the Township’s roads fall under these three classifications.
Local Primary
· Satisfies the requirements listed above for Local Roads
Local Secondary
· Serves local areas such as residential neighborhoods
· Provides links to cul-de-sac streets
· Provides access to routes of higher classification
Cul-de-Sac
· Contains one point of ingress and egress
· Serves residential neighborhoods or businesses
· Provides access to routes of higher classification
Recommendations for A Plan for Circulation
As mentioned above, this Plan seeks to provide needed circulation improvements while maintaining the Township’s character and scenic beauty. Recommended improvements to the existing road network, as shown on Map 10, take the form of Intersection Controls, Sight Distance Improvements, Cartway Improvements, and Road Alignment Modification. Recommendations oriented toward alternative transportation systems and public transit include the installation of a Park & Ride Facility and the opening of a light rail station in the Devault
area. Scenic road preservation is also advocated. These circulation improvements are intended to serve three main purposes:
· to decrease the number of vehicles on Township roadways, thus alleviating traffic congestion;
· to enhance the safety of the Township’s roadways; and
· to enable unimpeded access for emergency vehicles.
Map 10. A Plan for Circulation
(to be inserted)
Specific circulation improvements are listed below. The item numbers listed correspond to the map symbol numbers on Map 10, A Plan for Circulation.
Improvements to
the Existing Road Network
Intersection
Controls
Intersection Controls refers to the installation of traffic signals and/or stop signs in order to control the flow of traffic through an intersection. Intersection controls are needed at the following locations:
1. Route 401/Conestoga Road and Newcomen Road
Limited sight distance at this intersection is a problem. Signalization is recommended.
2. Route 401/ Conestoga Road and Valley Hill Road
Limited sight distance at this intersection, and road crossing problems need to be addressed. Signalization is currently in progress.
3. Phoenixville Pike and Yellow Springs Road
This intersection receives a high volume of traffic. Charlestown Oaks will be better served after the developer installs the needed signal.
Guidance on traffic calming measures is provided in “Pennsylvania’s Traffic Calming Handbook,” published by PennDOT. Before implementation of traffic calming devices, a professional traffic study should be undertaken so as not to merely shift the problem from one street to another.
Other Sight
Distance Improvements
Other sight distance improvements are needed at the following intersections:
4. Charlestown Road and Hollow Road
Limited sight distance at this intersection is a problem. Possible remedies include regrading banks and installing a three-way stop. A three-way stop however, may affect traffic flow negatively.
5. Hollow Road and Phoenixville Pike
Visibility at this intersection is poor due to road geometry problems. Possible remedies include changing the alignment of Hollow Road and/or Phoenixville
Pike; making Hollow Road one-way westbound between Phoenixville Pike and Charlestown Road; and installing intersection controls
6. Whitehorse Road and Ashenfelter Road
The configuration of this intersection is that of a “T” where Whitehorse Road runs on the horizontal and Ashenfelter Road runs on the vertical. There is currently a one-way stop sign on Ashenfelter Road. Vehicles traveling in either direction on Whitehorse Road have no stop sign. Due to topography, this is an extremely hazardous intersection for motorists traveling north on Ashenfelter Road. The view to the east along Whitehorse Road is virtually non-existent. The view to the west is very limited. Thus, it is very difficult to see oncoming traffic. A three-way stop similar to the one installed at Whitehorse and Union Hill would address the safety issue.
Various Intersection Improvements
A variety of intersection improvements are needed at the following location:
7. The convergence of Phoenixville Pike, Charlestown Road, Whitehorse Road, and Route 29/Morehall Road
This area experiences an extremely high volume of traffic during both the morning and evening rush hours. Vehicles traveling on these roads are funneled into this one convergence point, exceeding the road and intersection capacities. The level of service (LOS)[2] of Phoenixville Pike and Charlestown Road, and Whitehorse Road and Charlestown Road function at LOS F during rush hour.
Planned intersection improvements include the installation of turning lanes, the routing of vehicles onto Whitehorse Road (rather than onto Route 29), and a closed loop signalization system that would allow for better traffic flow from one intersection to another. Funds have been allocated for this project.
Cartway Improvements
Improvements are recommended for the following roads:
8. Phoenixville Pike to Route 29/Morehall Road
With increasing development in the Devault area, and planned high intensity development in this area, it is anticipated that these road segments will need to
be upgraded. This may include the installation of pedestrian and bicycle pathways and road widenings designed to accommodate increased traffic volume.
9. Warner Lane
In its current design, Warner Lane extends from Route 29/Morehall Road to the access road for General Warren Boulevard. Because of this configuration, vehicles traveling between Phoenixville Pike and Morehall Road have no means to connect aside from traveling through the Phoenixville Pike, Charlestown Road, Whitehorse Road, Morehall Road intersections. As mentioned in item 7 above, this area is extremely problematic. In addition, vehicles attempting to enter/exit the office park located on General Warren Boulevard can only utilize Morehall Road. Those traveling to/from the north must pass through this point as well. The lack of a second ingress/egress point on Warner Lane only contributes to the congestion at these intersections.
Plans are in place to extend Warner Lane beyond the General Warren Boulevard access road to Phoenixville Pike. This would provide an alternative connection between Phoenixville Pike and Morehall Road, thus offering some relief to the traffic congestion at the previously mentioned intersections. It would also provide a second entrance/exit route to the General Warren Boulevard office park, further reducing the number of vehicles traveling through those intersections.
Road Alignment Modification
A roadway alignment modification is needed at the following location:
10. Cold Stream Road
The segment of Cold Stream Road between Township Line Road and Charlestown Road contains a severe curve that can be difficult to negotiate. This presents a hazard for drivers, which is compounded by the fact that this road experiences a relatively high degree of utilization. It is proposed that this situation could be remedied by modifying the horizontal alignment of Cold Stream Road to reduce the severity of the curve.
Alternative Transportation Systems & Public
Transit
The following recommendations address the need for alternative transportation systems and public transportation service. This approach is viewed as a means to reduce the number of vehicles traveling through the Township’s road network. Alternative and public transportation systems have the potential to produce many benefits such as a reduction of traffic volume, increased road safety, a reduction of air and noise pollution, and a higher quality of life gained by spending less time sitting in traffic.
Alternative and public transportation system improvements are as follows:
11. Possible Light Rail and Parking Facility
The existing Norfolk Southern freight spur connects Phoenixville to the industrial complex in Great Valley. Currently, this line is utilized by no more than one freight train per day. This Plan recommends that light passenger rail service be added to this line and that a station, along with a parking facility, be constructed in the Devault area. The site of this light rail station was chosen due to its proximity to the businesses in Devault and the neighboring Great Valley Corporate Center. Passengers could then take a shuttle service or walk to their destinations.
In order to preserve the future possibility of operating a passenger service on the Devault line, the Township should investigate techniques such as “rail banking,” which protects the right-of-way until such time as passenger service can be implemented.
12. Park & Ride Facility
A Park & Ride facility is a point to which motorists drive and park their vehicles, and from which motorist carpool or take shuttle buses to other destinations. A Park & Ride facility is recommended in the vicinity of the Valley Forge Christian College. Such a facility could serve to alleviate traffic coming through the Township from the north.
Scenic Road
Preservation
· Scenic roads (and the vistas they provide) will become threatened if land development design is permitted to neglect the scenic aspects of the landscape. Where applicable, land development projects should be evaluated in terms of the visual impact discerned from various vantage points (especially in the Special Heritage Protection Areas shown in Map 6).
· Scenic roads may also be adversely impacted by potential increased traffic generated by new development. Not only would this stress the roadways and detract from their scenic value, but it would also pose a safety hazard on these roads, which were not designed to accommodate high volumes of traffic. A traffic study should be conducted for any new development that is permitted to take place on a scenic road.
Other Circulation
Initiatives
In addition to the findings and recommendations above, traffic problems could be minimized through increased work at home, carpools, or vanpools, and staggered work shifts by major employers outside the Township. These initiatives should be addressed as part of the implementation program after this Plan is adopted.
The Township should also evaluate its road network to determine which roads would be best served if assumed back from PennDOT and brought under the Township’s control.
Regional
Transportation System Initiatives
Some relief to the congestion on Charlestown’s roads may come about as a result of improvements to surrounding highways and circulation systems. Construction is currently underway on some highways, while studies are being conducted, and plans proposed, for other regional transportation projects. In addition to the road system, improvements are aimed at park and ride lots, public transit, and bicycle networks.
Charlestown Township is participating in discussions related to transportation improvements currently proposed and under study in Phoenixville. The Township should expand these efforts by participating in other regional traffic discussions, such as those involving the Valley Forge Park/Route 23 issue described below. By taking part in these discussions, Charlestown can directly promote projects that would route traffic to regional roads better suited to handle high traffic volumes.
Highway
Improvements
Three major improvement projects on highways surrounding Charlestown are either underway or are currently being considered. This includes Route 202 to the south, Route 422 to the east, and Route 100 to the west. The largest of these is PennDOT’s U.S. 202 Reconstruction Project, in which the highway will be widened to increase capacity from the Schuylkill Expressway to the Route 30/Exton By-pass (and onward to the state of Delaware). Construction is currently taking place on sections of highway to the east in Tredyffrin Township. Completion of the eastern portion of the project is scheduled for 2003; work on the western portion of the project (to the Exton By-pass) is scheduled for 2004 to 2006.
Major improvements to Route 422, through Montgomery County, are currently being discussed. Studies have indicated that road widening, in order increase capacity, is necessary. In addition, local access to the highway must be increased. Higher capacity on Route 422, together with higher capacity on Route 202, could provide relief to Charlestown by keeping traffic on these major highways. Motorists would be able to travel on Route 422 to Route 202 to Route 29, thus circumnavigating Charlestown Township. One possible consequence of the Route 422 project is the closing of Route 23 through the Valley Forge National Historic Park. A study relating to this matter funded by PennDOT and the Park, is in progress. Although the closing of Route 23 may not have a large impact on traffic entering Charlestown, it could affect Township residents who use this road for local access.
A third highway improvement project, along Route 100, is impending. This project will involve widening the road from just north of Exton to the vicinity of Fellowship Road in Upper Uwchlan Township. It is currently in the planning and design stages. Such improvements to Route 100 could reduce through-traffic on local roads in the western portion of Charlestown.
Park & Ride
Lots
Several Park & Ride lots surround Charlestown Township to the south and east. These lots are located at Routes 100 and 113, Route 100 and the Route 30/Exton By-pass, Routes 29 and 202, and Route 422 in the Limerick area. A lot is also proposed Phoenixville. There is a need for more Park & Ride lots to the north of Charlestown, perhaps along Route 422, in order to cut down on the number of vehicles traveling through the Township from this direction.
Public
Transportation Improvements
Two major regional rail
projects have been proposed - the Schuylkill Valley Metro and the Cross County
Metro. Both projects are in the
consensus building stages. The
Schuylkill Valley Metro, proposed to be operational in 2007, would run from
Philadelphia to Reading with intermediate stations in Phoenixville and
Perkiomen Junction. This would
provide Charleston residents with access to two more regional rail stations, in
addition to those along the Main Line.
The Cross County Metro is considered an inter-suburban/outer beltway rail system. It would operate along the Main Line between West Whiteland Township (near the Route 30/Exton By-pass), King of Prussia, Norristown, and Trenton, New Jersey.
Ultimately, it would be desirable to link these two lines in King of Prussia. Passengers traveling from the north on the Schuylkill Valley Metro could transfer at King of Prussia, to the Cross County Metro, and travel westbound to Route 29. From Route 29, they could then board a shuttle to the Great Valley Corporate Center and other employment centers in the vicinity.
Because the Devault line runs through Phoenixville, it could also be possible to establish a connection between it and the Schuylkill Valley Metro. Passengers on the Schuylkill Valley Metro could transfer in Phoenixville and travel to the proposed train station in Devault. From this point, passengers could board a shuttle to complete the commute to employment centers along Route 29.
Bikeway Network
Chester County has proposed a countywide bikeway network, including a bikeway functional classification, intended to promote bicycle use for both commuting and recreational purposes (Map C-17). The County’s plan proposes that if a road is to be improved, accommodations for bicycle access should be provided at that time.
The network includes several roads in Charlestown Township intended to be used as links to the rest of the system. These roads and their bikeway functional classifications are as follows:
Commuter/Connector:
Valley Hill Road
Yellow Springs Road between Valley Hill and Hollow Roads
Route 29 and Yellow Springs Road into East Whiteland Township
Beginner Recreation:
Pickering Road
Intermediate Recreation:
Yellow Springs Road north of Valley Hill Road
Merlin Road
Hollow Road between Pikeland Road and Route 29
Buckwalter Road to Charlestown Road to cold Stream Road
Township Line Road from Cold Stream Road into Schuylkill Township
Advanced:
Pikeland Road between Hollow Road and Charlestown Road
Charlestown Road between Pikeland Road and Route 29
Route 29 north to Schuylkill Township