This meeting began with a cross examination of Mr. David Horner of Horner and Canter, whose firm conducted the traffic study.  Community members were given the opportunity to ask questions of Horner.  Mr. Harris, counsel for the applicants re-questioned Horner to clarify some points.  Community members were again given the opportunity to re-question Horner.

During his testimony Horner established that the traffic study that was undertaken only covered the area within one-half mile of the proposed site.  He said that the responsibility of the applicant is to determine the traffic impact on the roads immediately surrounding the proposed site. The applicant has no responsibility to study any intersections beyond one-half mile.  For example, even though the intersection of Rt. 73 and Rt. 663 at Car Corner was not included in the study since it is outside their area of responsibility, even though it will be a highly dangerous intersection, so near school traffic.

Horner also reiterated that the study, which was conducted on in March 2001 was done between 7 AM and 9 AM and then again from 4 PM to 6 PM.  He mentioned that these are considered peak traffic times for this area (as established by Penn Dot).  He also made sure to mention that the 7-9 AM time period did indeed include school buses.

An issue arose between Horner’s “facts” concerning the actual speed limit on Rt. 73 and what two area residents observed.  Horner’s traffic study was done assuming the speed is 45 MPH; area residents stated that it is actually 55 MPH.  When asked if this would matter to his study, Horner said that it would not affect his traffic study.

Harris then asked to re-question Mr. John Silvi, co-owner of the proposed quarry.  Harris produced Exhibit A14, which was a detailed list of number and kinds of trucks that would be entering and leaving the proposed site.  This was in reference to an earlier line of questioning concerning how Silvi had informed Horner of the number of trucks that should be included in the traffic study.  Mr. Brandt, Solicitor for New Hanover Township, was able to determine that this information was not prepared for Horner before the traffic study, but was obviously an attempt to validate his comments about the number and kinds of trucks that will enter the proposed quarry.

During the testimony Silvi explained that tri-axle trucks and tractor-trailers will be leaving the proposed quarry and turning right onto Rt. 73. They will travel past the intersection of Rt. 73 and Rt. 663 (near Hickory Park), and continue up the grade and turn left back onto Rt. 663, past the township building to the traffic light at Rt. 663 and Swamp Pike.  From there the trucks, which may contain up to 500,000 pounds of rock, will turn left and travel Swamp Pike to Limerick and beyond.  Depending on who was asked, the number of truck trips was estimated at being between one every four minutes to one every ten minutes. 

During re-questioning by community members, Silvi stated that he (and his company) has no experience operating an asphalt plant or a hard-rock quarry; that they have no other knowledge other than concrete plants.  He agreed that they did not question any other quarry or asphalt owners on facts about operation---that their “facts” were unsubstantiated.  He is quoted as saying, “…we have no experience in hard-rock quarries”.

One community member asked Silvi how the truck drivers are paid.  Silvi stated that it was a combination of salary plus a bonus for the number of completed trips per day.  The area resident said that, in his experience as a truck driver, drivers with this type of pay structure would probably drive as fast as they can so that they can make more money. 

Facts

• The quarry will operate between 16-17 hours per day (Horner on cross examination).

• The quarry will operate 5 ½ days per week, 279 days per year. (Silvi 7/25)

• At a minimum there will be 90 trips into the site and 90 trips out of the site per day, which, according to Exhibit A14, includes ALL car and truck traffic by all vehicles entering the site.

See also:
Summary of the previous meeting (6/27/01)