February 4 Middletown Council Meeting Update

1. Public comment on the Loop Road project dominated the time. Back in 2023, Council approved the creation of the new road behind the CVS & Chick-fil-A. Council says that there was a Memorandum of Understanding with the Riddlewood Sunnybrae Community Association.

2. Of the public commenters, I counted 3 in favor, 9 against, and 3 requesting more information or consideration.

3. Middletown residents in favor of the Loop Road said:

   1. It would greatly reduce traffic on Pennell road approaching Route 1.

   2. There would be fewer cars driving through Riddlewood.

   3. It would making walking safer in Riddlewood.

4. Those opposed said:

   1. PennDot engineers are already making changes which will make this project superfluous.

   2. Creating this road will somehow increase total traffic even further.

   3. This project is too short term and requires a longer term fix.

   4. The traffic created during construction may slow down ambulances on their way to Riddle.

   5. Middletown would lose even more green space.

   6. An overpass would better solve the traffic issues.

5. Next, the Township Traffic Engineer will present it to Council on February 18th. Then, they’ll decide (either at that meeting or in the future). If this project is ultimately stopped, all grant money Middletown received for it will be lost and it can’t be reused for another project.

You can find the entire public video here: