New Britain finalizes new 4-way stop at New Galena & Sellersville roads

A busy New Britain Township intersection is officially a permanent 4-way stop after supervisors voted unanimously Monday night to authorize the traffic change at New Galena and Sellersville roads.

The Board of Supervisors approved the ordinance in a 5-0 vote.

Stop signs already exist on Sellersville Road in both directions. The new configuration adds a stop sign to both approaches on New Galena Road, making all approaching traffic stop before entering the intersection.

Township Manager Dan Fox told supervisors last month the change stems from a PennDOT-backed traffic study and has been in the works for months.

“This is something that has been out there for a little bit,” Fox said. 

He noted that while Sellersville Road is maintained by the township, New Galena Road is a state road, requiring both PennDOT and township approval for the 4-way stop.

New Britain Township Police Chief Richard Clowser said PennDOT would be responsible for installing the additional stop signs on New Galena Road.

“The purpose is more or less to make it so that we can enforce the stop sign violations,” Clowser told supervisors last month.

Drivers will have an adjustment period of 60 days before citations begin.

According to the ordinance language, the change is based on a Nov. 29, 2024 report from Mark M. Hood, P.E. of the Pennsylvania Local Technical Assistance Program, which determined a 4-way stop was appropriate at the intersection.

Under the ordinance, drivers who fail to stop could face penalties under Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code once the enforcement period begins.

Tony Di Domizio is the managing editor of CentralBucksNow. Email him at [email protected].