Yonkers city leaders call on state to study, develop safety measures along 'dangerous' road

Yonkers city leaders are calling on the state to help make a very busy stretch of road safer.

Melanie Palmer

Nov 27, 2024, 3:06 AM

Updated 15 days ago

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Yonkers city leaders are calling on the state to help make a very busy stretch of road safer. The focus is the northbound lanes of Central Park Avenue getting on the northbound side of the Sprain Brook Parkway.
If it's not the back-ups, it's the sudden shifting of lanes.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm going to get rear-ended when waiting here," says Yonkers driver Manny Contreras.
Then, there's just the overall congestion.
"It's all day, every day. It's just awful," says Yonkers resident Mary Hook Ray.
Drivers say this intersection is a recipe for disaster.
"I've seen accidents there a few times," says Hook Ray.
According to data from the Yonkers Police Department, there have been about 38 accident calls around that area so far this year.
Yonkers city leaders are demanding change.
Mike Breen, the minority leader with Yonkers City Council says the traffic patterns are outdated.
"There's too much traffic that comes up the 'Deegan,' gets on Central Avenue and gets on the Sprain (Brook Parkway) because they don't want to pay the toll. If the toll was removed northbound, you might not see that traffic build up," Breen explains.
He along with other council members want the New York State Department of Transportation to take a close look at this spot, figure out a plan to alleviate some of the gridlock and above all else, make it safer.
"We would appreciate if they could do something about it," says Hook Ray.
News 12 reached out to the New York State Department of Transportation.
It released the following statement:
"Safety is always the top priority for the New York State Department of Transportation and we are always willing to engage with our local partners to discuss potential enhancements. NYSDOT will review the City of Yonkers’ resolution when it is received."