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New York State DOT unveils revised access plan for Franks Park with controlled gate and shared‑use path crossings
Summary
New York State DOT presented a revised plan to provide authorized access to NYPD Highway Precinct 1 and the Renqua Parks maintenance facility from the end of Birch Avenue, replacing an earlier Sagamore Road driveway concept; the design includes two on‑ramps that cross a shared‑use path and a controlled security gate, prompting questions about gate operations, signage and safety.
New York State Department of Transportation representatives presented a revised access concept to Community Board 11’s Transportation Committee for project D9 000059, proposing a controlled entrance at the end of Birch Avenue to serve NYPD Highway Precinct 1 and the Renqua Parks maintenance facility.
The project team, led in the meeting by Rolando Torres Infante (identified in the presentation as a special assistant at the New York State DOT) and Samuel Rodriguez, and supported by Anthony Cidio of Yoner's Contracting (community liaison), said the new design replaces an earlier driveway concept off Sagamore Road with two on‑ramps that allow authorized vehicles to enter directly onto the Bronx River Parkway. “The shared use path will cross the two on‑ramps,” the presenter said, and DOT emphasized the redesign minimizes impacts to trees and nearby apartment buildings.
Committee members and residents pressed DOT on operational details and safety mitigations. DOT officials said access would be for authorized users only (NYPD personnel and parks staff) and that the gate would be automated — operated by keypad or badge swipe — and would default closed. On bicyclist and pedestrian safety, DOT described chicane‑style fencing and signage that would require bicyclists to dismount and walk across the ramps; the design would also include pedestrian crossing signage and lighting at key corners. “There’ll be signage provided for the cars that there’s pedestrian crossing and also warning signs for cyclists,” the presenter said.
Gallery speakers welcomed the redesign away from apartment buildings but raised practical concerns. Miss Finch asked whether steep sections of the shared‑use path would be leveled and whether the path would be fully closed during construction; DOT replied the path would be maintained with short daytime detours or flagging operations rather than long closures. Miguel Dyer and others urged stronger access controls (a card‑based entry rather than a simple shared code) to avoid repetition of unauthorized access by taxis or repeat visitors.
The presentation also touched on related highway work: DOT representatives said they are studying a separate proposal involving Exit 9 on the Hutchinson area and that engineers are reviewing crash and traffic data before any determination. Several members said local residents, especially in Co‑op City, view that exit as essential and asked DOT to return with data; DOT agreed to do so.
DOT offered to provide the presentation slides and to coordinate a site walk with the community board, Parks Department and NYPD to clarify operational details. The committee did not take a vote; members asked DOT to return with further design details (lighting and signage plans, final gate control approach) and to supply written materials for board and Parks review.
The committee moved on to other agenda items after DOT’s presentation; DOT staff left the virtual meeting after the Q&A.
