Much has already been accomplished

S.A.V.E. was established in 1997 to develop and promote an alternative solution for the PA 41 corridor, addressing the needs of the roadway for improved safety and capacity but without acting as a catalyst for unmitigated sprawl and degradation of community character. In striving to reach this goal, much has been achieved. We are greatly encouraged by the positive policy shifts taking place regarding transportation and land use planning in the Commonwealth and we are proud that S.A.V.E. has been instrumental in bringing application of these changes to some significant local initiatives. And, while the mission remains focused on securing a positive outcome on Route 41, many other related issues have also been successfully addressed during the past few years.

Organizational

• A registered 501(c)(3) corporation with a volunteer Board of Directors, Honorary Board, Advisory Board and countless additional volunteers
• Permanent, staffed office with Executive Director
• Comprehensive, up-to-date web site & regular informative E-News and print newsletter Cross Roads
• Broad based membership including more than 600 families, households and businesses who have contributed more than $600,000 to support this effort

Route 41

• Detailed, professionally-engineered report outlining a two-lane alternative for Route 41 utilizing state-of-the-art modern roundabouts and traffic calming techniques
• "Town Hall" meetings to present the concepts of smart growth, modern roundabouts and state-of-the-art traffic calming techniques to the public
• Partnerships and endorsements by more than 22 municipalities and organizations, including the Brandywine Conservancy
• Grassroots support with more than 1,350 signatures on a petition in support of the two-lane alternative
• Formal endorsements of the two-lane alternative by Governor Rendell, the current and the most recent members of the Chester County Board of Commissioners, and the Chester County political parties
• Fostered working partnership with PennDOT on the Route 41 improvement alternatives leading to a “right-sizing” of the project, application of Context Sensitive Design principles which consider not only transportation needs but also community land use goals such as farmland preservation, and development of a proposal for a model project reflecting current Best Practices in highway design. Read a summary of the 2005 Executive Committee Process.

Beyond Route 41:

• Provide technical assistance and logistical support in the preservation of numerous historic bridges, including the historic Speakman #2 covered bridge (West Marlborough Township), the Mortonville Bridge (East Fallowfield Township), Green Valley Road bridge (Newlin Township), Chandler Mill Bridge (Kennett Township), and Rissers Mill Bridge (Lancaster County)
• Successfully advocated for the preservation of the Mortonville stone arch bridge, endangered for more than two decades with replacement by a new modern, wider structure
• Provided technical assistance, public outreach, and engineering review for the modern roundabout constructed on Route 82 near Unionville, the first roundabout in Pennsylvania on a state numbered highway, opened in August 2005.
• Support, technical assistance & preliminary engineering for proposed roundabouts and/or traffic calming measures in Pocopson Township, Londonderry Township, Penn Township, Kennett Township, and London Grove Township.
• Assistance developing a context sensitive commercial development ordinance in Londonderry Township.
• Proposed and advocated for House Bill 619, passed in late 2005 in partnership with state Rep. Art Hershey, to expand the definition of agricultural properties eligible under the Agricultural Area Security Law as well as the Commonwealth’s farm preservation program to include a broader definition of equine operations.
• Regularly respond to citizen groups, near and far, with similar missions and concerns who seek technical assistance and guidance

Route 82 near Unionville,
the first roundabout in Pennsylvania on a state numbered highway
(click for enlargement)
Photo from www.somethinginthesky.com

Smart Mobility concept for a roundabout at the Route 41 Wawa north of Avondale (click for enlargement)

Pocopson roundabout plans (click for pdf)