In July 2017, the Borough contracted Environmental Resolutions, Inc. (ERI) to provide an evaluation of Temple Boulevard from Souder Street to Cinnaminson Avenue to: (1) analyze the geometry of the Firth Lane Intersection, (2) engineer a solution to address localized flooding and drainage issues, and (3) to promote traffic calming along this thoroughfare.
The intersection of Temple Boulevard and Firth Lane is a large expanse of asphalt that is confusing to vehicular traffic also lacking proper ADA compliant pedestrian facilities. This intersection is the result of four (4) roadways (Temple Boulevard, Firth Lane, Leconey Circle, and W. 2nd Street) converging at odd angles, presenting a challenge to drivers unfamiliar with the area.
Additionally, during periods of high rainfall, severe localized flooding occurs at the intersection due to inadequate stormwater storage capacity downstream. The Borough’s stormwater piping system eventually ends up concentrated at the intersection before draining to the Delaware River through a tide gate. During high tide, the tide gate is closed to prevent backflow into the Borough’s storm sewer system. However, when there is a period of high rainfall that coincides with high tide (when the tide gate is closed), the water cannot drain and floods the intersection.
The engineered storm sewer extension project at the intersection of Temple Boulevard and Cinnaminson Avenue includes drainage work involving the removal and replacement of the storm sewer main that crosses Cinnaminson Avenue and reconstructing the storm manhole in the center of the intersection. This project is somewhat unusual, as the County currently discharges into the Borough’s system at this location and continued to do so while the improvements were installed. Additional storm pipes and inlets were also installed to supplement the existing conveyance system. The majority of the proposed piping is flat, perforated HDPE in stone trenches to promote infiltration and reduce the amount of flow entering the system for smaller storms. For larger storms, these flat pipes will increase the time before flow enters the system.
In addition to mitigating flooding issues, streetscape improvements for this project include traffic-calming curb “bump outs” at every intersection. The bump outs narrow the visual width of the roadway without affecting the travel lane width. The reconfiguration and realignment of the Firth Lane Intersection provides a more typical standard “tee” layout with a green island area. A pocket park will be constructed under a separate contract in the resulting “green space” area utilizing a Federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.
The Temple Boulevard roadway was milled and overlaid with appropriate treatment to the underlying concrete roadway base joints so that the joints do not propagate through the new road surface for improved rideability and for noise reduction. As part of the extensive drainage improvements, (including underground storage beneath the proposed pocket park) consist of:
- A surge basin at the Public Works Yard/Sewer Plant located at the end of Firth Lane. The purpose of the surge basin is to provide storm water storage when the tidegates are closed, in essence, providing an acceptable location to flood first;
- ACF brand RTanks provide underground stormwater storage, and;
- Two overflow relief-point yard inlets were strategically located so that any overflow of the underground system would first be directed to the rain gardens in the vicinity.