Project Updates

Progress Continues Toward Rebuilding Mortonville Road Bridge

In 2024, a major weather event caused severe damage to the bridge located on Mortonville Road near Saw Mill Road. The bridge partially collapsed after fast-moving floodwaters eroded the northeast corner of the east stone abutment—causing the parapet to collapse—and washed out a large section of the west stone abutment near the southwest corner. The structural steel rail beams were left exposed and are now in danger of imminent collapse. Following the incident, East Fallowfield Township’s structural engineer conducted an evaluation and determined that the bridge is beyond repair and requires a full replacement. For public safety, the bridge remains closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Impact on Residents and Emergency Response

The closure of Mortonville Road Bridge has had a significant impact on residents and emergency services. Emergency responders must now take a lengthy detour to access homes on Martingale Circle, Saw Mill Road, Mortonville Road, and the lower portions of Misty Patch Road and South Caln Road. In an emergency situation, this added delay—up to five minutes—could mean the difference between life and death.

Funding and Grant Efforts

The estimated construction cost for the bridge replacement project exceeds $750,000. To help offset costs, the Township successfully secured $300,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Multimodal Transportation Fund and was also awarded a $475,000 grant through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Local Share Account (LSA) Grant Program.  ). The Township also received a $200,000 grant from the Chester County Conservation District toward the bridge and stream realignment project

Engineering and Design Progress

In 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved several critical steps toward the bridge replacement project, including:

• Surveying: $10,500

• Environmental Assessments and DEP Permitting: $49,000

The environmental work included a hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) study, wetlands investigation, endangered species review, and preparation of the required General Permit application for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). These tasks were completed in the spring of 2025.

At its October 28, 2025 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved a contract with the Township Engineer, Pennoni Associates, to begin the engineering and design phase of the project. This next stage will include evaluating potential realignment of the stream that runs beneath the bridge to help reduce the risk of future erosion and collapse.

A Commitment to Infrastructure and Safety

East Fallowfield Township remains committed to rebuilding the Mortonville Road Bridge as quickly and responsibly as possible. The bridge replacement is a top infrastructure priority for the Township, as it is vital for public safety, emergency response, and daily connectivity for residents.

The Township will continue to provide updates as the project advances through design, permitting, and eventual construction.

Saw Mill Road Culvert Replacement Project

At its October 14 meeting, the East Fallowfield Township Board of Supervisors authorized the advertisement to seek bids for the Saw Mill Road Culvert Replacement Project.The project will replace a failing metal culvert on Saw Mill Road (near Mortonville Road) with a new concrete culvert designed to allow creek waters to safely pass beneath the roadway and to help prevent flooding and roadway damage during heavy rain events. The new structure will be more durable and have a significantly longer service life than the old metal culvert.At the October 14 meeting, Township Manager Scott Swichar noted that the Township’s traffic engineer has completed all required environmental testing, clearances, and utility coordination, and that the Township has obtained all necessary easements from affected property owners.

Bids are scheduled to be opened on November 14, with the award of the contract expected on November 25. The project is being funded through a $250,000 DCED Local Share Account (LSA) Grant. Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2026. During construction, at least one lane of traffic will remain open to minimize disruption to motorists.

This project reflects East Fallowfield Township’s ongoing commitment to improving local infrastructure and protecting public safety, while aggressively pursuing grant funding to reduce reliance on local tax revenue.

Traffic Calming Project Updates for Newlinville

At the May 13, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting, the Township awarded the contract for the Newlinville Traffic Calming Project to Construction Masters Services, the lowest responsible bidder, with a bid of $156,121.85.

This initiative is a key recommendation from the Newlinville Village Master Plan, which was developed with extensive input from the Newlinville Task Force and village residents. The plan identified traffic calming as the highest priority, with speeding along Doe Run Road (Route 82) cited as a major safety concern.

To support the project, the Township collected traffic data and reviewed crash history from PennDOT.  Because Route 82 is a state highway, all traffic calming measures required PennDOT’s review and approval.  Based on the data—showing excessive speeds and a history of crashes—Newlinville met the required thresholds and qualified for state-approved traffic calming improvements.

The project will include the following safety improvements along Doe Run Road:

• Two traffic-calming medians
• New roadway signage and striping
• Thermoplastic transverse pavement markings (similar to rumble strips) to alert and slow down drivers 

Click here to View Engineered Plans for the Project.

The Township will also install speed display boards at key locations throughout Newlinville. These boards serve as visual deterrents, raise driver awareness, and have been shown to reduce vehicle speeds in residential neighborhoods.

The project is funded by two state grants:

• $150,000 DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund grant
• $100,000 DCED Local Share Account grant

Construction is scheduled to begin in early spring 2026  We are optimistic that these improvements will lead to a noticeable increase in safety and quality of life for Newlinville residents.

New Municipal Building Complex for East Fallowfield Township

Planning for the Future: A New Municipal Complex for East Fallowfield Township

Why a New Municipal Building?

East Fallowfield Township has been exploring the need for a modern police station and administrative complex for many years. Currently, the police department operates out of a small, outdated one-story home that was converted into a police station. The administrative offices are located in a small space attached to the public works garage. While both buildings have served the Township well over the years, they no longer meet the operational, technological, or safety requirements of modern local government or law enforcement.

In 2022, the Township conducted a comprehensive assessment of the police department funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The report identified several critical deficiencies, including:

• No holding cell
• No secure lobby separating staff from the public
• No secure evidence storage room

The DCED report concluded that the lack of adequate space was a significant limiting factor for the department’s operations.

A new municipal facility will allow the Township to:

• Provide a "one-stop shop" for municipal services by housing the police and administrative offices under one roof
• Operate a secure, modern police station that enhances public safety and operational efficiency
• Create a dedicated, ADA-accessible public meeting space suitable for community events and public hearings

Project Progress & Timeline

Land Purchase Completed (January 2023)

The Township purchased a 10.9-acre parcel on Wilmington Road in January 2023 for $257,000. This centrally located property is the proposed site for the future municipal complex. The purchase was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) with no impact on the Township’s general budget.

Feasibility Study Completed (January 2025)

The Township hired Heckendorn Shiles Architects in 2024 to complete a feasibility study evaluating the proposed site and long-term facility needs. The feasibility study process was conducted through multiple public meetings and was presented to the Board of Supervisors in January 2025. The study included:

• A proposed site plan and floor plan
• A schematic architectural rendering
• A project schedule and preliminary cost estimate
• A proposed construction budget of approximately $7.9 million

📄 Click Here to view the full Feasibility Study

Funding and Design Phase (Underway)

The Township’s Municipal Building Committee is actively reviewing construction cost estimates, long-term financing strategies, and grant opportunities. The committee recently recommended retaining Heckendorn Shiles Architects to move the project into the architectural and engineering design phase. This phase, which is grant-funded, will provide a more detailed design and help refine construction cost estimates. The Township is currently completing technical and administrative steps required by the grant program before initiating the design work.

Funding & Fiscal Responsibility

East Fallowfield Township is committed to completing this project responsibly and with minimal impact to taxpayers. We are pleased to share that the Township has already secured two significant state and federal grants:

• $555,000 Community Project Funding Grant (for planning, architecture, and design)
• $1,000,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) Grant (for land development and construction activities)

These grant awards will help offset design and construction costs and reduce the Township’s financial burden.

Looking Ahead

As the project moves into the design phase, the Township will continue to pursue additional funding opportunities and grants. Just as importantly, we remain committed to transparency and public involvement throughout this process.

Your continued input and participation are vital to shaping a facility that reflects the priorities and needs of East Fallowfield residents. We look forward to sharing continued updates and encourage all residents to stay informed through public meetings and the Township website.

Click Here to Access Building Project Documents