UPPER GWYNEDD — Construction of the proposed
streetscape
renovations in the West Point Village of the
township could begin this fall.
Township Manager Len Perrone said there's a
chance the work could be completed this
year.
What is more likely, according to Perrone,
is that the installation of period lighting,
crosswalks
and sidewalks on West Point Pike between
Park Ave. and Jones Avenue would be
completed next year.
"Both possibilities are real," the manager
said. "But I anticipate weather conditions
slowing
the completion of this project."
Township engineer Art Boesler recently
provided a status update of the project.
A $300,000 federal grant — procured by U.S.
Rep. Allyson Schwartz, D-13th District, and
distributed by the Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation — will fund the
installation of
lighting intended to remind residents of the
village's relationship with the railroads
plus the
decorative concrete work in nearby
crosswalks, according to Perrone.
Perrone has called the project an attempt to
beautify West Point Village, one of the most
historic sections of the township.
He said that the village, which dates back
to the 19th century, had an active rail
line,
a train station constantly handled freight
and the community provided a stop for a
trolley line.
Township officials hope to award the project
bids later this year so construction could
begin in the autumn, Perrone said.
"We're doing everything in our power to try
to make that happen," he said.
In February, the commissioners delayed the
project during the Sumneytown Pike
widening project since a portion of the
detour included West Point Pike.
Township officials unveiled the proposed
streetscape in the fall of 2008 after
spending
most of the previous 10 months working out
the details with a committee of residents.
