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Police chief urges ban on left turns from Speedway exits; board to consider pedestrian-safety signal changes
Summary
At a Dec. 9 Mamaroneck work session Police Chief Drew recommended banning left turns from both Speedway exits onto Mamaroneck Avenue and advancing several all‑pedestrian signal phases; the board agreed to place a resolution and signal-cost estimates on the Jan. 13 agenda.
At a Dec. 9 work session of the Village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees, Police Chief Drew urged trustees to adopt a ban on left turns from both Speedway exits onto Mamaroneck Avenue, saying the moves require crossing multiple lanes and create a hazard for pedestrians and motorists. "It's a safety concern for both pedestrians and motorists," Chief Drew said, noting Speedway management was aware the change would be raised with the board.
Chief Drew told trustees he discussed options with Speedway management, which declined to close an entrance, so the police-recommended alternative is to make both Speedway exits on Mamaroneck Avenue no-left-turn movements. He said signs could be erected on Speedway property and that a formal board approval would be required to allow officers to enforce the restriction.
Mary Desmond, the village attorney, told trustees the change would not require a public hearing but would require a resolution to amend the part of the village code that the village relies on for traffic enforcement. "It doesn't need a public hearing, but it does need a resolution to amend that part of the code," Desmond said.
The traffic-safety discussion included related signal work on Mamaroneck Avenue. Chief Drew summarized findings from an AKRF traffic study recommending additional all‑pedestrian signal phases at selected intersections (Prospect at Mamaroneck; Grand Street at Mamaroneck; and Waverly at Mamaroneck) after arrival of upgraded traffic heads or after traffic-flow changes tied to a local bridge reopening. "Grand Street at Mamaroneck does have the capability to do that," he said, and he said staff will obtain a cost estimate for converting signals where feasible.
Trustees directed staff to draft the necessary resolution or local code amendment and to place the item on the regular Jan. 13 meeting for final action and to return with a cost estimate for any required signal work. The board did not take a final vote at the work session.
The board’s next steps will be to confirm the precise code language needed, have counsel prepare a resolution for the Jan. 13 meeting and, if approved, install signage and authorize enforcement.
