City Allocates $45M to Upgrade Hazardous Bronx Intersection

A Major Step Forward for a Long-Overdue Project

The Department of Design and Construction has taken a significant step forward by approving a $45 million contract to reconstruct a dangerous corridor in The Bronx. This project, which has been stalled for over 17 years, aims to address the ongoing safety concerns at a critical intersection that has seen numerous accidents and injuries.

The area under consideration is located in West Farms and includes intersections along East 177th Street, Devoe Avenue, and East Tremont Avenue. It serves as a vital connection point for several important locations, including four bus stops, a bus depot, a post office, multiple schools, and access to Sheridan Boulevard and the Cross Bronx Expressway. Despite its significance, this corridor has long been plagued by traffic issues and safety hazards.

According to city data from August 2011 onward, there have been at least 246 car crashes involving 358 injuries and two deaths at or near this intersection. More recently, the same data showed four additional deaths within a two-year span. Since THE CITY last reported on the intersection in March 2023, there have been 49 more crashes and 81 additional injuries recorded.

Key Improvements Planned

The proposed improvements include shortening pedestrian crossings, adding more sidewalks and curbs, resurfacing the roads, and connecting Starlight Park with Bronx River Park through the Bronx River Greenway. This greenway is designed to provide a continuous path for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the borough. Other enhancements will involve upgrading street lighting, traffic signals, water mains, and sewage systems, as well as planting trees to improve the overall environment.

Staten Island-based DiFazio Industries, known for completing seven miles of new sewer systems and water mains in Queens Village in 2023, is leading the reconstruction efforts. DDC spokesperson Ian Michaels stated that construction is expected to begin later this year.

“We are excited to make progress on this key corridor, which will make incredible pedestrian and vehicular safety improvements,” he said in a written statement. “After thoroughly studying and confirming all details, we have now selected a contractor and expect to start work on this project later this year.”

He added that the project involves complex elements such as traffic studies, tidal wetland protection, structural integrity tests for a local bridge, MTA overhead rail lines, and enhancements to the local water distribution and stormwater drainage systems. Additionally, street lighting and signal timing studies will be conducted.

Project Timeline and Challenges

DDC anticipates the project will take about three years to complete. However, the agency is currently awaiting approval from the city comptroller for the contractor. Despite the recent contract approval, there are still many questions surrounding the project's timeline and scope.

The plan was first introduced in 2008, during the previous mayoral administration, and has faced numerous delays due to the need for coordination among multiple city and state agencies. These include the Department of Education, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the state Department of Transportation, which manages the Sheridan Expressway.

Community Board 6, led by district manager Rafael Moure-Punnett, has been actively involved in pushing for the project. However, they have expressed concerns about the lack of communication from DDC since late 2023. Questions raised about the project’s scope and timeline have not been adequately addressed.

Ongoing Concerns and Community Involvement

Despite the contract being in place, community members remain cautious about celebrating the progress. The intersection continues to pose risks, with reports of drivers running red lights and speeding past buses and parked cars. A bus driver even warned pedestrians to be cautious after an ambulance crashed into a traffic light just weeks prior.

While the approval of the contract marks a major milestone, the community remains vigilant and hopeful that the project will finally move forward without further delays. The goal is to ensure that the improvements will significantly enhance safety for both pedestrians and drivers in the area.