If you live in Bensalem long enough, you learn the Golden Rule of local government: It all depends on who owns the road.
Before you pick up the phone to report a pothole or a dead deer, you need to know if you are standing on a Township Road or a State Road. If you call the wrong one, nothing gets fixed.
The “Is it State or Local?” Cheat Sheet
Bensalem Public Works can only fix township roads. They are legally not allowed to touch State roads (which are owned by PennDOT).
The “State Roads” (Do NOT call the Township for these):
- Street Road (Route 132)
- Bristol Pike (Route 13)
- Knights Road
- Hulmeville Road (Route 513)
- Bristol Road
- Galloway Road
- Richlieu Road
- Mechanicsville Road
- Route 1 & I-95
The “Township Roads”:
- Almost all residential streets, cul-de-sacs, and neighborhood developments are Township roads.
1. How to Report a Pothole
Once you know who owns the road, here is how to get it filled.
Option A: It’s on a State Road (Street Rd, Knights Rd, etc.)
- Call: 1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623). This is the PennDOT hotline.
- Click: Go to PennDOT Customer Care.
- Pro Tip: You need to be specific. Don’t just say “Street Road.” Say “Street Road, Eastbound lane, about 100 feet past the Wawa.”
Option B: It’s on a Neighborhood Street
- Call: Bensalem Public Works at 215-633-3980 (7:00 AM – 3:30 PM).
- Click: Use the Bensalem Service Request Form.
- Email: You can email details to the Public Works department (check the township site for the current director’s email).
2. How to Report a Street Light Outage
If the street light in front of your house is dark, flickering, or on during the day, the Township can help—but they need the “Pole Number.”
- The First Step: Go outside and look at the metal tag on the pole. Write down the number.
- Who to Contact: Bensalem Public Works manages the repair contracts for street lights.
- The Method: Call 215-633-3980 or submit the “Street Light Repair” form on the township website.
- Important Exception: If it is a Traffic Signal (Red/Green light) that is out or twisted, call Police Dispatch (Non-Emergency) immediately at 215-633-3719. Do not use the online form for traffic signals.
3. How to Report Missed Trash or “weird” Garbage
If you see illegal dumping:
Illegal Dumping / Graffiti:
- If you see trash dumped in a park or graffiti on a wall, do not touch it.
- The Hotline: Call 267-550-9999. This is a dedicated recorded line for graffiti and trash removal. Leave a detailed message with the location.
4. Water & Sewer Emergencies
Did a pipe burst in the street? Is water bubbling up from the ground?
- Do NOT call the Township.
- Bensalem sold its water/sewer system years ago.
- Call Aqua Pennsylvania: 877-987-2782 (24/7 Emergency Line).
