Road information
Roadmaster
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Assistant Roadmaster: Robert Deisemann
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The Roadcrew is responsible for maintenance of Township roads and all road maintenance equipment. The roadcrew also trims trees, mows road shoulders, cleans culverts, replaces drainage piping, maintains street signage, and plows snow. There are 52.84 miles of road in Upper Tulpehocken Township. Of that amount the Township owns approximately 36.26 miles, the remainder being State Roads. Upper Tulpehocken Township is located within PennDOT District 5-0.
It is never acceptable to blow grass or leaves from your property onto a township or state road. This is considered littering and punishable by fines. This practice is extremely dangerous for both vehicles and motorcycles, and causes extra work for the roadcrew to clean up, wasting valuable tax dollars.
Township Road Right-of-Way
All Township roads are located on land that is referred to as road right-of-way. The road right-of-way provides the space needed for the road surface, roadside shoulders, drainage systems, aerial and underground public utilities, sidewalks or non-motorized paths, and traffic signs.
The width of the Township road right-of-way can vary, however the general rule of thumb is that the road right-of-way is 33 feet wide, approximately 16 ½ feet measured from the center of the road on both sides. The width of some Township roads and most State roads are greater than 33 feet wide.
Because the Township has the responsibility to maintain roads in a safe condition for travel, property owners are not allowed to install, construct, place any item or work within the road right-of-way.
All non-approved objects placed or work conducted within the road right- of-way are considered to be encroachments which include but are not limited to: cultivating, plowing, or planting; depositing of stone, rocks, trash, grass, yard waste, or debris of any kind; draining swimming pools, sump pumps, downspouts or any other facility; trees or shrubs growing into the right-of-way; installation of fencing, driveway access or placement of anything else such as recreation equipment.
Encroachments in the right-of-way may be removed by the Township without prior notice to the property owner or the Township may choose to notify the owner that they must remove the encroachment or face legal action. The Township is not responsible for any damage to encroachments caused by removal or maintenance within the right-of-way.
If you are considering the installation of something close to the right-of-way line like a retaining wall, landscaping, fencing, etc. it is recommended that you use a surveyor or engineering firm to determine the actual location of the road right-of-way line so you don’t have to later remove your improvement because it’s in the right-of-way. At the very least you should verify the width of the right-of-way and then back off an added three plus feet from your measured line.
Lastly if you are going to landscape your property, you will want to make sure that you plant your trees or shrubs far enough back from the right-of-way that when they mature the foliage doesn’t extend over the line.
The width of the Township road right-of-way can vary, however the general rule of thumb is that the road right-of-way is 33 feet wide, approximately 16 ½ feet measured from the center of the road on both sides. The width of some Township roads and most State roads are greater than 33 feet wide.
Because the Township has the responsibility to maintain roads in a safe condition for travel, property owners are not allowed to install, construct, place any item or work within the road right-of-way.
All non-approved objects placed or work conducted within the road right- of-way are considered to be encroachments which include but are not limited to: cultivating, plowing, or planting; depositing of stone, rocks, trash, grass, yard waste, or debris of any kind; draining swimming pools, sump pumps, downspouts or any other facility; trees or shrubs growing into the right-of-way; installation of fencing, driveway access or placement of anything else such as recreation equipment.
Encroachments in the right-of-way may be removed by the Township without prior notice to the property owner or the Township may choose to notify the owner that they must remove the encroachment or face legal action. The Township is not responsible for any damage to encroachments caused by removal or maintenance within the right-of-way.
If you are considering the installation of something close to the right-of-way line like a retaining wall, landscaping, fencing, etc. it is recommended that you use a surveyor or engineering firm to determine the actual location of the road right-of-way line so you don’t have to later remove your improvement because it’s in the right-of-way. At the very least you should verify the width of the right-of-way and then back off an added three plus feet from your measured line.
Lastly if you are going to landscape your property, you will want to make sure that you plant your trees or shrubs far enough back from the right-of-way that when they mature the foliage doesn’t extend over the line.
Upper Tulpehocken Township allows property owners to place mailboxes within the Township’s legal right-of-way, out of respect for the U.S. Postal Service’s need to deliver, and mail customers’ convenience of home delivery. However, mailbox damage from thrown snow is the responsibility of the property owner.
The Township’s mission throughout the winter months is to maintain safe and passable roads. Often, keeping roads open means plowing deep snow to the edge of the right-of- way. Since most mailboxes are placed within the Township’s legal right-of-way, it is up to the homeowner to make sure their mailbox can withstand the weight of snow being thrown from a plow.
Snow plow operators are instructed to maintain lower speeds when plowing areas where mailboxes are present, however, there are times when higher speeds must be maintained to contend with heavy, wet snow.
Upper Tulpehocken Township offers these tips to help eliminate the possibility of a mailbox being damaged during the winter months:
If the mailbox is located within the legal right-of-way and damage was experienced in the past, homeowners may want to consider relocating the mailbox before the next snowfall. It is never acceptable to plow snow from your property onto a township or state road. This practice not only costs tax dollars for extra snow removal efforts, it is also extremely dangerous.
The Township’s mission throughout the winter months is to maintain safe and passable roads. Often, keeping roads open means plowing deep snow to the edge of the right-of- way. Since most mailboxes are placed within the Township’s legal right-of-way, it is up to the homeowner to make sure their mailbox can withstand the weight of snow being thrown from a plow.
Snow plow operators are instructed to maintain lower speeds when plowing areas where mailboxes are present, however, there are times when higher speeds must be maintained to contend with heavy, wet snow.
Upper Tulpehocken Township offers these tips to help eliminate the possibility of a mailbox being damaged during the winter months:
- Make sure the mailbox is firmly supported in the ground.
- Make sure the mailbox is firmly secured to its post.
- Remove snow from around the mailbox, but avoid throwing it back onto the road.
- Place a large piece of reflective tape on the mailbox to help snow plow operators see it at night.
- Place the mailbox as far beyond the shoulder of the road as the postal carrier can reach.
- Consider installing a cantilever mailbox support that will “swing” a mailbox out of harm's way.
If the mailbox is located within the legal right-of-way and damage was experienced in the past, homeowners may want to consider relocating the mailbox before the next snowfall. It is never acceptable to plow snow from your property onto a township or state road. This practice not only costs tax dollars for extra snow removal efforts, it is also extremely dangerous.