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Dobbs Ferry adopts law banning certain left turns on Maple Street to protect pedestrians
Summary
The Village Board voted to adopt an amendment to Chapter 290 (Vehicles and Traffic) to prohibit left turns onto Broadway from Maple Street during weekday hours to improve pedestrian safety and align with the school speed zone; the change follows public comment and a prior traffic study.
The Dobbs Ferry Village Board on Feb. 10 adopted an amendment to Chapter 290 of the village code that prohibits left turns from Maple Street onto Broadway during the daily window the board set to align with pedestrian safety considerations. The board’s motion passed in open session after a public hearing and brief discussion.
Resident Tim Cunningham spoke at the public hearing in favor of restricting the left turn but asked the board to consider a 7 a.m.–4 p.m. limit rather than the proposed 7 a.m.–6 p.m., stressing neighborhood circulation and unintended diversion onto Storm Street. "I would like future consideration to maybe make it to 4PM," Cunningham said, noting afternoon backups and that school buses were no longer a factor at that hour.
Trustees and staff responded that the 6 p.m. end time was chosen to match the DOT-designated school speed zone and to provide consistency with an earlier traffic recommendation. An unidentified staff speaker referenced traffic counts conducted by Sam Schwartz (traffic engineering firm) in 2022 and said the traffic committee vetted the recommendation. Trustees said the board could revisit the timing if implementation shows problems.
Trustee Rothrock moved adoption of the local law; Trustee Petitian seconded the motion. The chair called the question and the motion passed in open session with all trustees voting in favor.
The change remedies a previous mapping/implementation error tied to repaving of Route 9 and is intended as a safety measure for students and pedestrians near the high school campus. Officials emphasized the change is not permanent and can be amended after further monitoring.
Next steps: the village will implement the new prohibition and continue coordinating with state DOT on consistent signage and related southbound restrictions that have already been requested from the state.
