Mount Pleasant residents push for safety improvements on busy road, as NYSDOT discusses possible improvements
Neighbors say making a left turn on the busy stretch of road is difficult, especially with new developments nearby drawing in more traffic and pedestrians.
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The push continues to make a busy stretch of road in Mount Pleasant safer.
The New York State Department of Transportation says they're listening and trying to find possible improvements.
"I've been here 28 years so I know this is a tough road," says Hawthorne resident Fran Carlucci.
Carlucci lives near what she, along with her neighbors, call a dangerous intersection. It's located on Beverly Road and Route 9A in the Hawthorne area of Mount Pleasant.
"To watch people try and make turns with people going faster than speed limit speeds, it just feels alarming. We want to get to our town which is to the left, we are looking for help in making left-hand turns safely," says Loren Holand, who lives in the area.
Neighbors say making a left turn there is difficult, especially with newer developments nearby drawing in more traffic and pedestrians.
"We really think a traffic light would be the best solution. It would safely allow residents to enter and exit, school buses could get in safely," says Hawthorne resident Robin Farrell.
They're not the only ones who have expressed interest in a traffic light.
"We've reviewed this many, many times. The residents want a traffic light and that's what I'm asking for," says Town of Mount Pleasant Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi.
However, officials with the NYSDOT say a traffic signal there doesn't meet the requirements for one.
During an open house Tuesday, it presented some other ideas.
"We're look at a wide variety of safety enhancements, everything from the additional crosswalks, sidewalks, proposed traffic signals in different areas and other safety mitigation efforts. One of the concepts we're looking at is creating a center turn lane, running along most of the length of the area and then taking it down to one lane on either side," says Nikhil Natarajan, deputy regional director with the NYSDOT.
The goals of this safety enhancement project are to reduce speeding, crashes and provide enhanced pedestrian facilities, according to the NYSDOT.
Officials with the NYSDOT say they're still reviewing ideas and taking in feedback.
Neighbors like Joseph Iannibelli say he's noticed recent improvements in the area that are already working.
He doesn't believe a traffic light is the answer.
"I think what they've done so far is good, I'm willing to listen to what the experts want to propose but I don't see any issue as it is right now," Iannibelli tells News 12.
The NYSDOT is looking to go through the design process for safety enhancements on the stretch of road this spring, with hopes of work beginning next year.
You can read more details here: https://www.mtpleasantny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2604/State-Route-9A-Pavement-and-Safety-Enhancements-Public-Meeting-Brochure-PDF?bidId=
