Flooding Issues Addressed By Bensalem Council

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA — When it rains, it pours in the township.

With its closeness to the Delaware River, the township often experiences flooding like nearby Bristol Borough and other towns along the Neshaminy Creek.

At its meeting on Monday night, the Bensalem Township Council addressed the flooding issues that turn roads into streams.

Councilman Joseph Wenzel Jr. said since his arrival seven months ago, the council has been working to get a meeting with PennDOT about the township's ongoing flooding issues.

"We were finally able to secure a meeting with roughly 25 people, including township administration and PennDOT management," Wenzel said.

He said that PennDOT was not aware of the flooding that occurs at Station Avenue but knew about flooding issues at State Road and Street Road.

Officials discussed short-term and a long-term solutions.

Wenzel said, though, that the long-term solution could take 12 to 20 years once it is placed into the TIP (Transportation Improvement Program).

"It’s a shame that this flooding has been happening for so long," the councilman said. "Even PennDOT recalled that back in the 1980s, it was just a little puddle and 'wasn’t that bad.'”

Township officials are taking some action in working with PennDOT.

The short-term solution includes installing gates to prevent people from driving or walking through the flooded area when heavy rain is expected, for life-safety reasons.

The long-term solution would involve a pump system with a backflow preventer.

"In a relatively short amount of time, we were already able to get PennDOT to the table and get movement on this issue," the councilman said. "We are going to continue pushing to get these solutions implemented for the safety of Bensalem residents."