Calming influence
Two neighborhood projects hark to the good old days
By BRYAN F. YURCAN

The city of New Rochelle announced the selection of two projects for its new Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program last week.

The first project targets streets adjacent to New Rochelle High School including Clove Road north of Eastchester Road, Parcot Avenue, Otsego Road, Flandreau Avenue, and Argyll Avenue between Flandreau Avenue and Calton Road. A second project addresses concerns on Paine Avenue between North Avenue and Lyncroft Road.

A total of eight applications were received for this inaugural program. The two top-scoring projects were selected by the RBA Group consultants based on ratings derived from traffic data, field observations and other criteria.

To be eligible, a roadway must be a residential street, cannot be a collector or arterial road and should not be designated as an emergency-response route. Applications must be accompanied by signatures of at least 50 percent of residents within the proposed area.

Announced in April, the traffic-calming program seeks to address and resolve residential traffic concerns through measures including speed humps, traffic circles, and road narrowing and closures, as well as enforcement and education.

A conceptual design will be developed by The RBA Group, working in conjunction with the applying neighborhood. Upon completion, the proposal will be sent to the city Police Department, Fire Department and Traffic Advisory Committee for review and comment, and a public meeting will be held to obtain public input. The project must receive the support of at least 85 percent of area residents to be constructed, according to Mayor Noam Bramson.

Bramson said the program is part of the city’s broader effort to improve the safety and quality of life in New Rochelle’s neighborhoods.

“For the first time, we can now implement real solutions to address long-standing safety concerns,” he said. “Two residential areas will benefit in the months ahead, and we look forward to extending this valuable program to other neighborhoods in the future.”

The City Council approved the program in December and Bramson said he hopes it will continue after these initial two projects.

“It’s my hope and expectation that this innovative program will be renewed next year and in the future, so that those neighborhoods which scored lower in this first round may still benefit,” he said.

 

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