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West Whiteland Township > Public Works > FAQ's  

FAQ's

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Is It a State or a Township Road? Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
State Roads
West Whiteland Township has more than sixty miles of Township-owned roads and approximately forty miles of state-owned roads. West Whiteland Township does not maintain or plow state-owned or privately owned roads.  Problems on state roads should be called into PennDOT at  484-340-3200. This is the Chester County Maintenance Office number, and they are the ones in charge of the State roads in West Whiteland Township. 
 
Roads Under Construction
There are some roads under construction in developments which, when work is completed, will be dedicated to West Whiteland Township.  Until they are dedicated to the Township, they are the responsibility of the developer.
 
Private Roads
There are a few private roads throughout the Township.  There are also various courts and terraces in many townhouse developments which are private.  West Whiteland Township does not maintain or plow privately-owned roads.
Road Division
What do you do when a traffic signal is not operation? STOP Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
During a storm event a power outage may affect traffic signals throughout Chester County.  Instead of a green, yellow, or red signal, there may be an unlighted traffic control signal.  According to the PA Vehicle Code, Chapter 31, if a traffic signal is out of operation or not functioning properly, vehicular traffic "shall stop in the same manner as at a STOP sign, and the right to proceed shall be sugject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a STOP sign."  In other words, a non-functioning signalized intersection becomes a 4-Way STOP.  So, the next time you come across a traffic signal that is not in operation ... S T O P!  It could save your life.  If you have questions, please contact the West Whiteland Police Department at 610-363-0200.
Road Division
LED Traffic Signal Heads Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
As part of a five-year plan, incandescent traffic signal heads are being replaced with LED signal heads to reduce the cost of electricity and enhance visibility for motorists.  The replacement of these bulbs also allows the Township to equip intersections with battery back-up systems and emergency generators.  These measures will help keep most of the traffic signals on the main road corridors of West Whiteland Township in operation during lengthy power outages.
Road Division
Traffic Signals Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
It is interesting to note that PennDOT is different from many states in that the traffic signals are owned and maintained by the municipalities in which they are placed. However, municipalities must have a permit from PennDOT for each signal regarding the timing, location, sequencing, signing, etc. Before any traffic signal may be changed, PennDOT approval must be obtained, and this often takes weeks before timing or sequencing may be changed.
Road Division
Snow Removal Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Snow removal is very important in West Whiteland Township from a safety standpoint. Our process is as follows:

  • As soon as the snow begins to stick on the roads, a salt mixture is placed on all of the township-owned roads.
  • As soon as snow is three inches deep, plowing begins.
  • If it looks as if it is only going to be a four or five-inch snow, we may wait until the snowfall ends before plowing.
  • If it is going to be an extended snow, six inches or more, the men continuously plow to make certain that all of the Township roads are open, so that should there be an emergency, a fire truck, ambulance, or policeman could get into any area of the Township.
  • Within five hours of the end of the snow, we anticipate having all the roads cleared full width.
For those of you who get angry with us for plowing in driveways that you carefully shoveled out, please realize that we try first to keep all of the roads open and then come back and do a full width plowing after the snow has ended. We thank you for your cooperation in this endeavor.
Road Division
What is the responsiblity of the Township?Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
West Whiteland Township is responsible for the sanitary sewer mains, which proceed down the middle of most streets in the Township, as well as, the sewer lateral which runs from the sewer main back to the approximate edge of paving.

Should you have a sewage blockage with sewer coming out of your vent in your front or back lawn, kindly call the Township offices 610-363-9525 and ask for Jim Mahlon. We will gladly, at no fee, come out and try to plunge the blockage. At that point, we will also check to make sure the blockage is not in our sanitary sewer line. If it is in the Township’s sewer line (mains or lateral) we will have the blockage cleared. If the blockage is beyond the edge of paving (i.e. on your lawn) and we cannot clear the blockage it will be up to you, the property owner, to contract with a Registered Master Plumber to have it cleared.
Utility Division
When is the problem the Homeowners?Use SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Although the Township will check your sewer problem, there are times that it will be your responsibility to have any blockage/problem cleared. 

If you have a sewer vent with a mushroom type cap in your yard that allows sewer gases to vent out rather than enter your home, you should be aware that these vents are very important and should not be removed and replaced with a tight fitting cap. Further, should the cap break, they can be purchased at a local plumbing supply or hardware store, such as Home Depot. The Township does not provide the cap.

If the cap or the vertical stack pipe is broken, it should be repaired immediately, as it will allow extraneous water to enter the sanitary sewer line and cause more sewage at the plant. This causes increased sewer costs. Now that the sewer rates are down, let’s try to keep them down by keeping all extraneous water out of the sewer lines.
Utility Division
SignageUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
Regarding Township roads and State roads, it is important to know that before any signage may be placed for which one may receive a citation e.g. speed limit, no parking, STOP signs, etc., an Engineering and Traffic Study must be done. The rules governing these studies are published by the Federal government. There is a “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” which indicates what signs may be placed, under what conditions they may be placed, and how the Engineering and Traffic Studies must be done.
Road Division
SidewalksUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
For those of you who have sidewalks around your property, please remember to keep them in good repair and also clear of ice and snow during inclement weather. This is mandated by West Whiteland Township Ordinance.
Road Division