Since hiring Delta Development Group in 2008, Limerick Township has paid $154,264.79 to help steer federal dollars to Route 422’s Sanatoga interchange.
The board of supervisors approved a contract with the Harrisburg-area lobbying firm in August 2008. Terms of the deal include a monthly fee of $10,000 and an additional $35,000 for every million of federal appropriations.
All 15 bills submitted to the township – through November of this year – are for the maximum $10,000 flat fee plus travel, meals, and legislative tracking costs, according to the invoices.
Books, complete with color pages and tabs, cost an extra $1,024. The invoices were requested under Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law.
In an interview Friday, Township Manager Dan Kerr said infrastructure improvements to the Sanatoga exit remain near the top of Congress’s list of special projects, based on what he has heard from Delta.
The overall project would cost approximately $14 million and include four new ramps. Two “slip ramps” off the Airport Road overpass bridge would help direct commercial trucks and other non-retail traffic away from the Sanatoga exit of Route 422, Kerr said.
A new westbound ramp onto Evergreen Road is the top priority, according to the township manager. Combined with another circle ramp, the township hopes to alleviate congestion next to the Philadelphia Premium Outlets.
Last week, the board approved the first phase of Sanatoga Springs, a large shopping center at the interchange that includes a Costco store. No major traffic improvements were asked of O’Neill Properties Group, the developer.
The SAFETEA-LU reauthorization was expected to pass this spring, but it has been extended on more than one occasion.
In fact, the last extension of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users provided transportation funding through Dec. 18.
Kerr attributed most of the delay to ongoing health care reform negotiations in Congress.
According to Delta, Congress approved $284 billion for traffic and transportation improvements in 2005. This must be reauthorized every six years.
Neighboring township Lower Pottsgrove decided against contracting with Delta; however, the board of commissioners signed an agreement with Limerick to partner in areas such as wastewater and trails.
The firm had a contract with the Lower Perkiomen Valley Regional Sewer Authority.
December 21st, 2009 at 3:02 pm
They also had one with Upper Providence Twp, who brought them into the Lower Perkiomen Valley Regional Sewer Authority if the rumors are true. Would Delta tell anything else to the Township Manager Dan Kerr other than “infrastructure improvements to the Sanatoga exit remain near the top of Congress’s list of special projects, based on what he has heard from Delta.” If it wasn’t then why would they keep Delta.