Roundabout Project In Doylestown Wins Prestigious Engineering Award

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA ? The design of the new double roundabouts at the intersection of Easton, New Britain, and Sauerman roads has been recognized with a prestigious statewide engineering award.

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania in January honored the Easton Road Roundabouts Project and its designers - Urban Engineers and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation - with a Diamond Award for transforming an intersection plagued with near-misses brake-slamming and honking into a smoother, safer ride.

"The Easton Road and New Britain/Sauerman Road Roundabouts transformed two complex, high-traffic intersections into safer, more efficient roadways using innovative dumbbell roundabouts," said the council in presenting the award. "This unique design improves safety for all road users, improves traffic flow, reduces vehicle speeds, and enhances mobility for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users."

Key upgrades included ADA-compliant sidewalks, improved SEPTA bus stops, bicycle trail connections, lighting, and new stormwater management systems, which have made the area safer and more accessible for all users, said the council.

The project was also completed 19 months ahead of schedule, with early utility work contributing to the accelerated timeline. Originally planned for completion in April 2026, work began in October 2023 and was fast-tracked to benefit the community sooner.

"This project exemplifies forward-thinking design and construction, providing long-term safety improvements while making the area more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly," said the council.

The award highlights Urban's commitment to enhancing transportation infrastructure, focusing on safety, innovation, and community engagement, said Michael Mastaglio, PE, PTOE, Director of Transportation, Planning, Design & Multimodal Ventures at Urban.

The Easton Road Roundabouts Project was initiated to address traffic congestion and improve safety at the complex intersection of Easton Road and New Britain Road/Sauerman Road. In collaboration with PennDOT District 6, Mastaglio said the Urban team employed modern design strategies and actively engaged with local stakeholders to develop a solution that meets both current and future needs.

The design features two single-lane roundabouts, which Mastaglio said effectively reduces traffic speeds and increases accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

"Utilizing PennDOT's GIS platforms, we identified this intersection as a priority area due to its history of accidents," said Mastaglio. "Urban led the design process from the initial concept to completion, coordinating closely with local agencies and community members to ensure that the project effectively addressed a mixed range of needs."

A key feature of the project is the incorporation of dumbbell roundabouts, which improve safety by slowing traffic and enhancing mobility.

"We congratulate PennDOT and our partners on the successful completion of this project and appreciate the recognition from ACEC/PA," said Mastaglio. "This project was about more than just improving traffic ? it focused on making the area safer and more accessible for everyone."

"We are honored to receive this recognition from ACEC/PA, which highlights the hard work and collaboration that went into the Easton Roundabouts Project," said Pat McCormick, CEO of Urban Engineers, Inc. "Our goal is to provide solutions that not only meet immediate transportation needs but also enhance the long-term safety and well-being of the communities we serve."