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SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y. The New York Department of Transportation has decided that reducing the number of lanes on Route 9 between Lawrence Ave. and Phelps Lane would have operational and safety benefits, but that the roads accident history is not serious enough to warrant immediate action.
In a letter to the village, dated July 21, 2011, Acting Regional Director William J. Gorton said the department had decided to wait to make the recommended changesreducing the road from four to three lanes, with one travel lane in each direction and a center turning laneas part of their next paving project for the road at that location.
The department of transportation does not have that portion of Route 9 scheduled for paving and Gorton told the village we cannot give a date for a future project.
The department of transportation reached that conclusion after conducting a traffic study at the request of village trustees and a complaint from a resident forwarded to Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Trustees requested the study in January 2010.
Village Administrator Anthony Giaccio told trustees at their Tuesday meeting that the letter was kind of good news, later noting that at least we have a response.
Trustee Bruce Campbell reviewed the letter and expressed his frustration with the departments decision to wait until the next paving project, which they dont have scheduled. I didnt see that as a good thing at all, he said.
The study included a review of roadway features, pedestrian activity and accident history.
According to Gorton's letter, the department of transportation said they looked at the number of accidents on that section of Route 9 and found a pattern of rear-end accidents on the southbound lane nearing Pierson Ave.
The slight distance to the traffic signal at Pierson Ave. is adequate, and a review of the police crash reports did not identify any pattern of causative factors, Gorton wrote.
The department is unsure if there is a reason for the accidents and will test the friction properties of the pavement this summer to see if that could be contributing to crashes, he continued.
Gorton said the department would be adding crosswalk pavement markings across Pierson Ave., however they did not find any accidents or traffic that would compel them to make further changes.
Do you think the Department of Transportation made the right decision?
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