It seems that not only has Media been waiting for the 3rd Street Bridge to open, but so has Upper Providence. I was told that residents were in attendance at last Thursday's Upper Prov. meeting to voice their support for access across the proposed bridge.
This is wonderful news. Media Borough, the CAC, and the FROG's have been very vocal in presenting what is best for the minority of residents (NIMBY's) that support keeping the road closed.
ReplyDeleteThis project is being funded by State/Federal dollars, not media borough residents. You can not have a project that protects the interests of the minority. Especially a project that is partly funded by a transportation grant from the state. Last time I checked closing the road to traffic would make a transportation grant provided by Senator Pillegi look a little ridiculous. How would it sound to other municipalities that have requested money from the Sentator for transportation needs if his grant for 3rd street funded a road that was closed to transportation?
The court order involves 3 parties.
Broomall Swim Club - in favor of opening a road
Delaware County - after UP's support, I am sure they are not going to waver on their support of opening the road
Media - the verdict is still out but from the process that has unfolded in the last 4 months it appears slanted towards keeping the road closed.
Media Borough Council again has a decision to make, one that was made last year, and if not finalized will end up costing borough residents more tax dollars. Not to mention the time that has been spent on this that could be spent on reenergizing Media's Business District and attracting customers/visitors as opposed to closing a bridge and keeping them out.
The court decision is between the county, Media borough and the club. Upper Providence can pass all the resolutions they want but they have no more say in this matter than Darby or Yeadon unless they would like to contribute some cash. Maybe, Upper Providence should be more concerned with fixing all the potholes on their roads before concerning themselves with this issue.
DeleteWow. Just goes to show you how selfish our general communites are getting. I am a UP resident and my earning and taxes in the state of Pa pay for all of the roads not just in UP. Yes it would be nice to have ALL of the potholes in the whole county fixed, as a matter of fact, in the whole state. But unless you are deaf, dumb and blind, money is pretty tight everywhere. So open the road that was a regular route for many, many years and the next time you throw liter out of your car remember ALL of the Pa residents share in your decision.
DeleteThe taxpayers in Chester, Darby and all other Delaware County communities may not share your self centered interest. Why shoudn't Upper Providence help pay for this road you desire? You want more government handouts that just benefit your interests. Your socialist attitude is disturbing.
DeleteI have to agree with anon 4:59 where does Upper Providence get off trying to leech off this court order. They need to step up to the plate if they want their road.
DeleteSo, say the RTMSD also supports the bridge being opened, would they also be leeching off the court order? Or the children that moved in to the new development on Kirk ln.? Are they leeches?
DeleteIt's hard to say what's worse: Media's mismanagement of this bridge or the ugliness of the people who don't want this fixed.
The adults not the children who bought those homes on Kirk Lane knew that the road was closed and possibly never to be opened. Do you know that they were promised that the road would be opened? If so please come clean on this issue.
DeleteAnon 4:59 and 5:25 the funding in place is not being paid by borough residents. It is being funded by state tax dollars, a non federal govt grant. You are selfish to think that the 5000 residents of media are paying for this.
DeleteI am a UP resident, my tax dollars are paying for this just as much as yours. What makes you think that I want my tax dollars to pay for your own personal greenway?
UP has a right to this as the park, the bridge, and the road borders and runs thru UP. If you both understood politics and why townships were formed you would understand why they have a say. Since I am dealing with ignorant nimby's take a look at Pa act 62 of 1972 for background of the home rule act. I quote the act, " for increased local control, more responsiveness, and openness in government, increased citizen participation, increased fiscal responsibility, ETHICAL standards, and environmental provisions.
The county has weighed in and want it open, broomall wants it open, UP wants it open, first responders, school district, the list goes on. The only ppl who don't want it open is 200 residents in the immediate area. This issue will be resolved shortly. Sorry nimby's, I will beep and waive on my drive by your homes!
Ps anon 4:59, do you know hat socialism is?
Anon 5:55 there was a sign there for years that construction was going to start. I moved to UP in 08 and the sign changed every year for 3 years as to when construction was going to start. I hope you enjoyed the last 17 years of peace and quiet. Perhaps you should not of bought a house on a street where there was a road with a plan to repair it.
DeleteGo to the Upper Providence Township website and read the Survey for the Comprehensive Plan. Families living in Upper Providence haven't wanted more development or more traffic. And they strongly support safer pedestrian and bicycle routes. Apparently, UP Council isn't listening.
DeleteIt's evident how informed of a decision Upper Providence's council has made here--and thus, the quality of that decision. Before seeing either the CAC's report (which involved UP'ers) or their own local survey, they rush thriugh something stupid like this. So much for credibility!
DeleteNot to feel bad, though--it's the same move Media's own "Bipartisan Coalition" pulled off here last year.
From the UP plan:
Delete"Growth management and traffic volume are in a virtual tie for being the top issue that residents believe should be addressed by UPT Council. All other issues pale in comparison to these two concerns." www.upperprovidence.org/cpsr/index_files/frame.htm
I have lived a block from the Third Street Bridge since long before it was closed. I though it would be a temporary closure, but it has been years. I missed the use of this road and was overjoyed to hear that it was to be fixed, finally! I raised my children here and there was never a "traffic problem" and that was before the 4 way stop sign.
DeleteWOW...... SOS
ReplyDeleteNIMBYs vs. YIMBYs
DeleteA welcomed number of Upper Providence residents participated in Media Borough sponsered events. The Third Street Project impacts many, the example and model for participation is available.
ReplyDeleteI'm a nearby resident of U.P. and I would rather keep the road closed. Allowing emergency vehicles access is fine, but beyond that I don't see any reason to reopen the roadway.
ReplyDeleteIf you're just driving a car, it's easy to travel the extra :30 out of your way up to Orange St. There's a reason you never see anyone walking along Orange St though - no sidewalks and too many cars. I'm concerned that's what will happen to Third St and Highland Ave.
These past years, taking a leisurely walk across the closed bridge has been a wonderful experience. Regardless of the bridge/dam issue, it would be a shame to lose this cultural asset so some people could save an extra :30 of drive time.
Also - Why exactly did U.P. Council pass a resolution already? I was sent an U.P. copy of Media's survey that wasn't due back to the U.P. township building until today.
ReplyDeleteWas U.P. council not responsible for sending out this survey, or were they just trying to quickly tie their hands before the results could be determined?
Already? The CAC is advising media borough next month. How much longer could they wait. I am unsure why they did it, but imagine it was from concern from UP residents at the UP meeting.
DeleteI received the survey as well, the person delivering to me looked like a resident. It was not the post office. I think it was a concerned citizen wanting the voice of UP residents heard. I commend her/him for taking actions into their own hands.
Who, exactly, is delivering surveys to Upper Providence residents? Who is collecting them? What is being done with the information?
DeleteI hope the road stays closed, except for emergencies.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy enough to take an extra minute to use Orange Street to drive into Media, but it obvious why nobody walks along it.
It would be a shame to lose the ability to safely walk across the bridge/dam, and possibly along Highland Ave.
There are so many roads - what's the big deal with not having one more? A greenway would be a gift to be cherished.
I think having the chance to safely enjoy the visceral experience of walking across the bridge is something not to be squandered for a slightly faster drive.
What do you say to the residents of Orange that have had increased traffic for the last 17 years? Is it fair to them that they be inconvenienced for your personal gain? What about the safety of the children who live on Orange? Has there been a influx of accidents along Orange? These residents have coped.
DeleteA greenway only benifits those within a 4 block radius who are able to walk to the 3rd street bridge, not the greater population who would use this road and are also paying for the road with their tax dollars.
The greenway carries the same costs as repair of the road. Is it fair that taxpayers pay for a greenway that only benifits a small number of the population?
Good point - I'd love to be able to safely walk along Orange St.
DeleteI think your argument is flawed - this isn't anybone's personal bridge, and is not off limits to anyone.
Every tax payer would benefit. I drive to Ridley Creek to walk, but don't demand to be able to drive along East Forge or Sycamore Mills Roads.
I hope you reconsider what you're really fighting against - a peaceful place to walk.
With that mindset, let's just neglect and abandon every street and just walk everywhere. Roads inside a State Park are one thing, in fact they've been closed for decades; but to compare that to a functioning road that needs a span of 150 ft to be fixed is absurd.
DeleteAfter seventeen years this road needs to be abandoned for good. Everyone has learned another way around. You newbies will just have to adjust.
DeleteI use to live on Orange Street 25 years ago and the traffic sucked then. I don't think the third street bridge has anything to do with it. In fact, if the third street bridge were open the traffic on third street might even increase.
DeleteI meant to say the traffic on Orange Street might increase if the third street bridge were to reopen.
DeleteAnon 08:50 says: "but to compare that to a functioning road that needs a span of 150 ft to be fixed is absurd."
DeleteWe're talking about a 500 foot dam here that doesn't need to be replaced...these days we put roads on bridges. The only reason to have a dam is to maintain the liability that is the Swim Club's lake. Let's be honest here, folks...the maintenance of that lake will be the end of the swim club within the next 20 years--now's their chance to get it taken care of!
I'm not a newby, liived here my whole life...and it annoys the crap out of me I have to drive out of my way home from penncrest, or put my life in my hands and try and make a eff onto Baltimore pike of Ridley creek rd. Would make more sense for the rtmsd busses too if the rd reopened
ReplyDeleteaccording to Google maps:
DeletePenncrest HS to 3rd & West Streets is
- 2.6 miles if you take 352 to route 1
- 3.2 miles the way you're going
- 3.6 miles if you take Rose Tree to Orange
There will be time differences, but is that really your best argument?
The average commute time for most people is about 45 minutes!
Sure, because 352 to route 1 is really fast. get a grip map boy.
DeleteWith three kids at home who need to be driven around to after school activities, the time difference matters, as does the price of gas. Nothing like driving by third st while on Kirk thinking I could turn right there to get to my house quicker, but instead have to back track and go all the way to orange and back to media. On a daily basis, it's a pain in the neck...or like I said, I can say my prayers and hope not to be sideswept by trying to make a left onto baltimore pike
ReplyDeleteYou poor soccer mom I feel your pain.
DeleteSorry, I work full time, so I hardly consider myself a soccer mom....but, I'd much rather be that than a NIMBY mom. If council was so concerned about the park and wildlife, then those homes on parks edge never should have been built
DeleteWhat do your kids think?
DeleteAlso, why would you take Ridley Creek to Kirk to Orange? Just so you can shake your fist at the Road Closed sign?
Anyway, at least you have other options - try walking or riding a bike along Orange or Baltimore.
Just because this was once a thru-road doesn't mean it HAS to be now. The town won't get an opportunity to reclaim sprawl like this again.
I take Ridley creek to Kirk to orange to get to my house in media borough, I'd rather do that than try and make a left onto Baltimore pike off Ridley creek. And I sure as heck am not going to walk on orange st or ride my bike along there for that matter, I'd prefer not to be killed by the traffic.
ReplyDeleteLike I said, if the town was so worried about the sprawl, they wouldn't have allowed those homes built at parks edge
The ONE thing Upper Providence council COULD actually do is get off their Duffs and have PennDOT put in a traffic light at Ridley Creek and Baltimore Pike. Media got them to completely revamp the signals on Baltimore Pike; that's the way our traffic flow is set up, now by design. Some things are different than 15 years ago.
Deletetranslation - "I've been spoiled with the good fortune of having the bridge close near me and don't want it back"
DeleteStop knocking the Citizens Advisory Committee. Not all of us are for the Greenway. As a member of the CAC I, for one, want the bridge opened to vechicle traffic. Borough Council knew may stand on the issue before I was appointed. The CAC is not a rubber stamp for any position. We are an independent body.
ReplyDeleteThis response would get more credit if you were not to afraid to put your name on it. Maybe fearful of blacklash by other committed greenway CAC members? RUBBER STAMP IT it still won't overturn the court order.
Delete"Backlash"? You're dreaming--again!
DeleteThe court order doesn't say how high that dam has to be--or when it needs to be built. The swim club will be run broke over that lake if they don't get smart and get it taken care of now. The state will pay to remediate the area so that the club can survive into the future.
"Paul C" might keep that in mind before his members wise up and throw him out.
Anon 5:54 pm who are you talking about? Who is Paul C. And what are his members?
DeleteWhy is it only Broomal's is talking about overturning the court order? And how it can't be done?
ReplyDeletePaulie C is head of the Broomall's Lake gang.
ReplyDeletehas anyone considered the 50 new homes that have been recently built by 3rd and Kirk? what if those people want to come into media, but instead have to go to Ridley Creek Rd or Orange? for them it would be like driving around a circle when they couldve cut through it.
ReplyDeleteActually, they'd considered that before they moved there. And they balanced the convenience of driving straight across with the ability to walk across without traffic...and decided to buy their homes where they did. Fifty sophisticated new luxury home buyers can't be all wrong!!
DeleteAnon 7:08 or maybe I should call you NIMBY 7:08 they saw a bridge in disrepair and thought like many others it would be fixed. There was a sign there for years that said, "Construction starting on XX,XX,XXXX" only to have the date moved every year. Only in Media PA do we let our infrastructure fall apart and not fix it. Or we create a groug called FROG's to protect the environment....I mean peace and quite of their neighborhood.....Yes there are some members of FROG's who are legit. Unfortunately it was founded by someone who lives on Parks Edge Lane in a property and neighborhood that did more damage to the park than this road. An organization that formed only after the court order was finalized to open the roadway. If she was so concerned about the environment why not form this right when she moved in? Ohh, thats right, because there was not a threat of thru traffic. She had the benifit of the incompetancy of council to let this sit in disrepair for 17 years.
DeleteAnon @ 9:55am - word, man, word!
DeleteYou want to talk artificial lakes? Check out the plastic pipes that flow under the walkway between the stream and the pond in the park and you'll understand how the natural 'pond' gets its water flow.
ReplyDeleteSo if the artificial lake was removed by eliminating the dam and a natural stream was permitted to flow to the pond you don't understand that is the natural water flow? No plastic pipes needed.
DeleteAnon 5:52 Just because you can't get your way cry me a river or a stream for that matter.
Delete