February 27, 2025
BUCKS COUNTY — February 27, 2025 — State and local officials credit a new truck ban with finally decreasing commercial truck traffic in a residential area in Morrisville Borough. In the first two months of enforcement of the prohibition of trucks weighing more than 10 tons on South Pennsylvania Avenue, Morrisville Borough police have issued more than 200 tickets and are educating truck drivers about alternate routes.
At a press conference today at Morrisville Borough Hall, Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Jim Prokopiak (D-140) praised the progress made to improve the lives of residents and keep our roadways safe.
“The issue of excessive truck traffic in Morrisville Borough impacted the daily lives of residents for far too long,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “Working closely with Morrisville Borough and PennDOT, we’ve been able to find a solution that will alleviate the issue for residents along South Pennsylvania Avenue and protect the busy road from damage by heavy trucks.”
“Today represents an important milestone in our effort to combat excessive truck traffic in Morrisville. Working together with State and local officials, Morrisville Police as well as Northpoint and Waste Management, the erection of signage limiting the weight of vehicles on Pennsylvania Avenue is another part of the solution to the truck traffic, combating a significant issue for Morrisville. As a result, the residents of Morrisville have begun to see reduced truck traffic along Pennsylvania avenue, increasing quality of life and safety in Morrisville.” said Rep. Jim Prokopiak (D-140).
The new regulation took effect in December, following the installation of signage by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Signs along S. Pennsylvania Ave. alert drivers that trucks, loaded or unloaded, weighing more than 10 tons are prohibited on the residential street and must take Philadelphia Avenue to Tyburn Road.
Morrisville Borough Council President Helen Hlahol said, “I can never express in words the gratitude to Senator Santarsiero and his staff, and especially PennDOT in their willingness to listen and hear our concerns and find solutions that help improve the quality of life in Morrisville Borough, especially the First Ward. There are no better partners in making this happen.”
After hearing from Morrisville residents and borough council members about the excessive heavy truck traffic travelling at high speed through the residential neighborhood where children walk to and from school, Sen. Santarsiero and the borough requested a PennDOT traffic study. That study was completed in November 2021 and resulted in a reduction of the speed limit on S. Pennsylvania Ave. from 55 mph to 45 mph between Tyburn Road and 3rd Street in Falls Township. Further, Sen. Santarsiero continued to advocate for a speed limit reduction along S. Pennsylvania Ave. between Philadelphia Avenue and Post Road. In June 2022 the speed limit was reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph.
In 2022 and 2023, Sen. Santarsiero worked with Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll to request a change in the highway designation of S. Pennsylvania Ave. from Intermodal Corridor to Major Collector to further limit truck traffic while also working with Google Maps to change the preferred driving directions for drivers exiting the Keystone Trade Center.
“I have seen a huge reduction in trucks on my street. I understand more has to be done, but it is great to see us moving in a positive direction,” said Joe M., a resident on S. Pennsylvania Avenue.
Enforcement of the new regulation is a priority for the Morrisville Borough Police Department.
Morrisville Borough Police Chief Ciampa said, “We began with educating drivers throughout December, making sure commercial businesses knew about the forthcoming enforcement. Enforcement began in January and to date, we have stopped more than 300 trucks and have issued 228 citations.”
The Borough has received support and assistance from Waste Management and the NorthPoint Development project at the former U.S. Steel site. In both 2023 and 2024, Waste Management provided Morrisville Borough with $65,000 to cover the costs of a Motor Carrier Officer. NorthPoint provided a Chevrolet Tahoe vehicle for the officer to use. Motor Carrier Officers receive training to inspect commercial trucks for safety and weight compliance.
“If you have concerns, bring them to the Borough,” said Mayor Gary Wallace. “This is a prime example of residents voicing their concerns, and the Borough and elected officials taking action to help residents.”
A recap of the history of this issue can be found on Senator Santarsiero’s website.
August 29, 2024
BUCKS COUNTY − August 29, 2024 − Trucks weighing more than 10 tons will soon be prohibited from travelling on S. Pennsylvania Avenue in Morrisville Borough, PennDOT officials announced today, during Senator Steve Santarsiero’s (D-10) annual road tour. The ban will protect scores of residents in the area from the adverse impact of excessive heavy truck traffic.
“For residents who live along S. Pennsylvania Avenue or on the neighboring streets, the roadway is a vital part of their day-to-day lives,” said Senator Santarsiero. “When Morrisville Borough residents and officials first brought the issue of excessive truck traffic on S. Pennsylvania Avenue to my attention, it was clear it would take time to find the right solution to balance the interests of residents and area businesses. The prohibition of trucks on S. Pennsylvania Avenue will bring relief to residents and ensure the structural integrity of the roadbed remains intact.”
The new regulation will prohibit trucks, loaded or unloaded, weighing more than 10 tons to travel on S. Pennsylvania Avenue between Philadelphia Avenue and Tyburn Road. Signage will be installed in the coming months to inform drivers of the restriction, at which point Morrisville Borough will begin enforcement.
Morrisville Borough Council President Helen Hlahol said, “We want to thank our State Senator Steve Santarsiero for working with us in interceding with PennDOT to reduce excessive truck traffic. This latest positive change will greatly improve the quality of life for all residents of Morrisville Borough and help fulfill our long-term vision of revitalizing our historic and wonderful river town community.”
The issue of excessive heavy truck traffic on S. Pennsylvania Avenue has been ongoing for a decade, prompting an escalating series of actions by PennDOT and local officials to alleviate the issue.
In November 2021, a PennDOT traffic study was completed on S. Pennsylvania Avenue approaching Morrisville Borough from Falls Township, demonstrating the need to reduce the speed limit from 55 mph to 45 mph between Tyburn Road and 3rd Street in Falls Township, resulting in a reduction of speed for drivers entering the Borough.
Following the 2021 speed reduction, Senator Santarsiero worked closely with PennDOT to advocate for a speed limit reduction along S. Pennsylvania Avenue between Philadelphia Avenue and Post Road in the Borough. In June 2022 the speed limit was reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph. Additionally, PennDOT agreed to supply and install signs, without cost to the Borough, and paint speed limit markers onto the surface of the road.
Senator Santarsiero continued, “The speed reduction was a critical step to addressing the concerns of Morrisville residents and improving safety along S. Pennsylvania Avenue. I was pleased to advocate for PennDOT to cover the costs of the signs so the burden would not fall on the Borough.”
During the Senator’s annual road tour in August 2022, Senator Santarsiero highlighted continued concerns of residents about the size and scale of truck traffic along the residential street. At that time, PennDOT and the Senator discussed the need to change the highway designation from Intermodal Corridor to Major Collector. This change in designation required approval from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and was necessary to allow for PennDOT to implement certain traffic calming measures along the roadway. Senator Santarsiero met with PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll in February 2023 to share concerns about S. Pennsylvania Avenue and the need to change the designation. Senator Santarsiero worked with the Bucks County Commissioners to advocate for the change in designation, ultimately granted by DVRPC in September 2023.
At the same time, Senator Santarsiero joined with other elected officials and Bucks County Commissioners in sending a letter of support to Google Maps to change the preferred driving directions for drivers exiting the Keystone Trade Center and traveling to Rt 1 from S. Pennsylvania Avenue to Tyburn Road. Google Maps agreed to change the default route, reducing the number of trucks travelling through the Borough. Additionally, PennDOT and Morrisville Borough worked with Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission to update signage in Trenton for trucks to use Route 13 after entering Morrisville.
Understanding continued concerns from residents, Senator Santarsiero helped facilitate a meeting with PennDOT, Borough leadership and residents, which took place in January 2024. The Senator also met with Representative Jim Prokopiak (D-140), who was newly elected to the legislature in 2024, to brief him on the issue.
“I applaud the action being taken to ban trucks on S. Pennsylvania Ave,” said Representative Prokopiak. “This action will increase the quality of life and safety for Morrisville residents, especially those living near Pennsylvania Ave. This action is the result of a collaboration between state and local officials who all worked together to make Morrisville a better place to live.”
Senator Santarsiero added, “Thank you to the residents of Morrisville Borough for your patience as we all navigated this process together. The intricacies of state and federal highway designations made this a complex issue that has taken years to find workable solutions for, but I am confident today’s announcement, paired with the changes already in place, will improve the lives of Borough residents.”
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April 16, 2021
BUCKS COUNTY – April 16, 2021 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Representative Perry Warren (D-31) announced today the award of Multimodal Transportation Fund Grants to Yardley Borough and Morrisville Borough. Yardley Borough will receive $312,147 and Morrisville Borough will receive $150,000 in funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
“We are fortunate here in Bucks County to have some of the most beautiful and vibrant boroughs in the state,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “These multimodal grant funds will help make improvements to two of those boroughs, helping keep our main streets lively and thriving.”
The Yardley Borough project will allow for the construction of approximately 1,200 linear feet of concrete sidewalk along the northern side of North Main Street. The project will also include related stormwater and pedestrian facility improvements.
“Yardley Borough is a real gem and a very pedestrian friendly destination. The construction along North Main Street will help provide access to the many restaurants and shops that attract both locals and visitors to our community,” said Sen. Santarsiero.
“This state grant toward the construction of sidewalks on North Main Street supports Yardley Borough Council’s commitment to pedestrian and traffic safety and the creation of a safe pedestrian passage to downtown Yardley, its stores, restaurants, offices and other businesses,” said Rep. Warren.
The Morrisville Borough project seeks to improve the pedestrian and traffic signals at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Trenton Avenue so that it is safer for the community.
“The intersection at Pennsylvania and Trenton Avenues is always busy, whether you are coming off the Calhoun Street Bridge or visiting the shopping center right there. This project will make it safer for pedestrians and drivers alike, protecting our community while improving access to local businesses,” continued Sen. Santarsiero.
“The state funding of these pedestrian and traffic signals is another important step, as we work together with Morrisville Borough Council to improve pedestrian and traffic safety in Morrisville,” continued Rep. Warren. “Together, these grants reflect our shared goals of boosting our downtown economies, enhancing our quality of life and ensuring pedestrian and traffic safety.”
Multimodal transportation fund grants encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the commonwealth. For more information about the Multimodal Transportation Fund Grants, visit the DCED website.
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December 23, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – December 23, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and State Representative Perry Warren (D-31) announced $1.5 million in state grant funding for improvements in Morrisville Borough. The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Bucks will receive $1 million for its Manor Park Landfill project and Morrisville Borough will receive $500,000 for a project at Patriots Park at Historic Summerseat.
The Manor Park Landfill project involves remediating and redeveloping a 12.96-acre vacant Brownfield site for new construction of a 70,000 square foot site for commercial use. Once remediation is complete, the redevelopment will include a fully equipped pad site, parking lots, landscaping and a retention basin.
“I want to thank Governor Wolf for prioritizing RACP funds for projects like these, providing important state investments in our local economy,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “I enthusiastically supported all of these applications, advocating for projects across my district that will drive economic development and make continued regional improvements that are especially needed given the challenges of the pandemic.”
“The redevelopment of the Manor Park Landfill for commercial use will drive local job creation and economic growth in Morrisville, while taking necessary steps to protect the local environment,” continued Sen. Santarsiero. “Remediation and redevelopment projects in locations like this allow us to take advantage of our existing real estate, while improving the health of both of environment and local economy.”
Scott Mitchell, Morrisville Borough Manager said, “This project has been a high priority for Morrisville Borough for many, many years. We are thrilled to hear the grant was awarded so this project can get started and this under-utilized property can be redeveloped.”
“This grant is a double win – for the environment and for the economy,” said Rep. Warren. “We’ve been working for quite a while with the Borough Council, Mayor and Manager to address the Manor Park Landfill. This million dollar grant goes a long way toward improving the environment and preparing the property for economic or community use.”
“We are very thankful for Governor Wolf’s support for this project and the local support we receive from Senator Steve Santarsiero, Representative Perry Warren, and Representative John Galloway on this and many other projects in Morrisville,” said Ted Parker, Council President of Morrisville Borough
The Patriots Park at Historic Summerseat project will make improvements to the existing park with new lawn areas for various recreational activities, new asphalt walking paths, a reconstructed access road, numerous new historic statues and other common park features and facilities.
“These improvements to Patriots Park will enable residents and visitors to enjoy the natural beauty and history of Morrisville,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “I am always pleased to see project that highlight our plentiful open space and foster a strong sense of local community in our area.”
“People love Morrisville’s historic small-town America ambience. The preservation and improvement of Patriot’s Park at Historic Summerseat will create a gathering place at a passive park in the heart of residential Morrisville,” said Rep. Warren. “Together, these two grants will help create spaces for residents to enjoy and to welcome visitors to Morrisville.”
RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.
To learn more about RACP projects and grants, visit the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget website.
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