New trolley gates causing traffic tie-ups; Adolph working on solution

By VICKY THOMAS, vthomas@delcotimes.com

SPRINGFIELD — They were implemented as a safety measure, but state Rep. Bill Adolph is arguing warning gates installed at some crossings along the Route 101 Media trolley line six months ago are  causing more problems than they resolve.

Adolph, R-165, of Springfield, said the gates, installed at some highway crossings, are causing a traffic nightmare because they stop motorists when the trolley comes within 100 yards of the intersection. An outside firm is now evaluating the devices’ impact on local traffic.

The gates were installed at some highway-rail grade crossings stop motorists when a trolley comes within 100 yards of an intersection. Adolph said the trolleys are given preferential treatment when crossing the intersection. Instead of stopping for the traffic signal, the previous procedure, the warning arms are lowered and motorists must wait for the trolley to leave the station.

Route 420 and Springfield Road are among the intersections were traffic “gets backed up to unbelievable degrees,” Adolph said. Frustrated with the wait, motorists turn onto side streets and then cause congestion for schools buses, or in some cases, accidents, he said. 

Adolph said traffic improved slightly when the timing of the signals was adjusted, but the issue has not been resolved.

During morning or evening rush hours, traffic on Springfield Road is often backed up a mile because of the trolleys, Adolph said.

“The complaint is not the safety arms … it’s that the trolleys are getting priority travel,” he said. “It makes for a faster trip for trolley riders through Springfield, but it’s causing tremendous traffic congestion throughout town for local residents and anyone trying to get to the Blue Route.”

Adolph met with Springfield Township officials, and representatives from PennDOT and SEPTA on Dec. 19 to discuss the problem.

A third meeting was held between Springfield Township, Adolph, PennDOT and SEPTA on Dec. 19 concerning the traffic. An outside firm was hired to study the traffic caused by the devices and a report will be issued within the next 30 days, according to Adolph.

“I know it’s where safety first, but it’s causing more problems than it saved,” he said.

The Highway-Grade Crossing Warning Device Improvement Program was a partnership between SEPTA and PennDOT. A total of 10 warning systems were activated in certain trolley intersections in the county beginning last June, five of which are in Springfield.

They are intended to improve safety at highway-rail grade crossings by alerting automobile drivers and pedestrians about oncoming SEPTA trolleys, according to SEPTA.

In 2005, a trolley collided with a car in front of Springfield High School, sending the driver to the hospital. At the time, witnesses said the driver ran a red light, and neighbors said it wasn’t the first time a trolley collided with a vehicle at the Leamy Avenue intersection, according to Daily Times archives.

Three people were injured in 1999 when a trolley broadsided a vehicle while crossing the tracks at Windermere Avenue and Garrett Road in the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby.

In 1997, a trolley and a car collided at Beatty Road in Nether Providence, leaving the motorist and three riders with minor injuries. Police said the driver ran the red light.

SEPTA officials were unable to be reached by press time Wednesday.