West Whiteland plans Route 100 signal detection upgrades

West Whiteland Township's Route 100 signal plan combines vehicle detection, battery backup and a connection to PennDOT's control network. The work would affect four intersections along Pottstown Pike in Exton, plus lighting at Commerce Drive and Main Street.

The October 14 supervisors' packet, on page 93, contains an October 9 staff request to advertise the project for bids. The request describes the equipment and proposed schedule; it does not establish a contract award or completed installation.

Detection and power at four intersections

The township's June project tracker, on page 104, identifies radar detection and controller cabinets as the Route 100 project's technology. The detector proposal predates the October bid request.

The October memo identifies detection upgrades at Route 100's intersections with Commerce Drive, Bartlett Avenue and the westbound and eastbound U.S. 30 ramps. It also proposes new controller systems with battery backup at Commerce Drive and the westbound ramps, plus backup power at the eastbound ramps.

The planned connection to PennDOT's Unified Command and Control system adds a communications component to the roadside equipment. The memo also includes pedestrian signals and two streetlights at Commerce Drive and Main Street.

The memo does not identify a detector model, specify battery operating duration or supply measured traffic results. A network connection in the proposed scope is not evidence that the equipment is already communicating with PennDOT.

An existing grant, with bidding still ahead in the memo

PennDOT's December 30, 2025 award announcement lists $389,640 for West Whiteland to upgrade intersections along Route 100 and Commerce Drive. PennDOT describes these grants as reimbursements for improvements to existing signals. This is previously awarded funding, not a new October grant.

The June tracker puts the project estimate at $487,050. The October memo retains that estimate and identifies a $97,410 township match. The grant amount therefore covers part of the project, rather than representing its full anticipated cost. Neither figure is a winning bid.

The October schedule targets bidding during the week of November 2, a possible December 9 award and roughly six months of construction beginning in spring 2027. It says PennDOT's second review was pending when the memo was written. Approvals, inspections, utility work and materials could affect construction.

Separate work at Ship Road

The Route 100 proposal should not be confused with the work already announced at Ship Road and Lincoln Highway. In a September 2 notice, the township described replacement poles, signal controllers and detection equipment there, with delays expected through mid to late October.

That notice gives drivers a different location and work window. It is not confirmation that the Route 100 equipment has been installed, and its projected finish should not be treated as a verified completion date.

Residents can follow the township agenda center for subsequent action and contract records, and use its Open Records contact for documents that are not posted. The Wright Report's public records request guide explains how to identify the agency holding a record. This is a township project, rather than automatically a county records matter.

For another local equipment proposal, see the Upper Uwchlan police drone budget report and browse the Chester County coverage hub.

Photo: GregMontani on Pixabay, used under the Pixabay Content License. Illustrative stock photograph of traffic lights, not West Whiteland equipment or the proposed installation.