Community members: New Rochelle intersection needs safety improvements for pedestrians

Some community members are calling for changes at a busy intersection in New Rochelle.

News 12 Staff

Oct 28, 2019, 9:36 PM

Updated 1,804 days ago

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Some community members are calling for changes at a busy intersection in New Rochelle.
They say one of the main concerns is that one corner of the crosswalk at the intersection of Palmer Avenue and Stephenson Boulevard doesn't have a ramp.
Charles Pedroso says people tend to drive recklessly, and if someone tries to cross the street, drivers will honk and almost hit people to get through.
Kristin Cardone says she often goes out of her way on her daily walks to the supermarket with her baby to avoid the intersection.
Cardone says she started reaching out to the city a few months back to voice her concerns about the lack of a ramp or a button for pedestrians.
“I would love to see a button put in and a safe way to cross the street or a ramp and maybe a little island where you can stop halfway because it doesn't really give you that much time to cross the street,” she says.
Cardone says the city's director of traffic engineering said he would look into it when she first contacted him, but that he hasn't returned her calls since.
New Rochelle spokeswoman Kathy Gilwit told News 12 that Palmer Avenue is actually a state road. "The city has contacted New York State DOT to report the concern and find out the status of any improvements planned,” she said.
Late Monday, a state DOT spokesperson told News 12 in part, "Pedestrian safety is a top priority for NYS DOT. We are planning a project to enhance the pedestrian crossing and signals at this location, with construction commencing next year."