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Residents and board members question DOT safety plan for Morris Park Avenue
Summary
NYSDOT proposed neckdowns, a pedestrian refuge island and a longer bus stop on a three-block stretch of Morris Park Avenue; committee members and residents raised concerns about converting several short one-way streets and sight-line, parking and bus-access issues.
A staff member presented a March 4 letter from the acting Bronx Borough Commissioner summarizing New York State Department of Transportation findings and proposed safety changes along a three-block segment of Morris Park Avenue. The letter identified long pedestrian crossing distances near the Forcoff Graduate School of Psychology and Jacobi Hospital, an undersized eastbound bus stop (53 feet), closely spaced intersections (about 50–60 feet) that create conflicts, and difficult turning movements.
The staff member read the letter aloud: "Long pedestrian crossing distances on Morris Park Avenue and Herring Avenue near the Forcoff Graduate School of Psychology" and outlined recommended changes, including installing two painted neckdowns on the east leg and one pedestrian refuge island on the west leg at Herring and Morris Park, extending the eastbound far-side bus stop from 53 feet to 75 feet, adding a non-standing-anytime regulation along the south curb at the T intersection, and converting Tambrook Avenue to one-way southbound and Newport Avenue to two-way between Morris Park Avenue and Van Ness Avenue.
Committee members pressed staff on how short, block-by-block directional changes would work in practice. One member said converting multiple adjacent streets to the same direction could create circulation problems and safety hazards because of existing islands and parked vehicles that limit sight lines and left turns. Another asked whether planned or proposed development at Montefiore might alter traffic patterns and requested confirmation of project boundaries before any conversion.
Public commenters also weighed in. A resident who signed up online asked for the presentation materials and warned that Newport sits on a grade near a parking lot, which could affect vehicle behavior if made two-way. Another resident speaking in Spanish urged the committee to request a simple diagram from NYSDOT and to schedule a walk-through, saying, "I definitely endorse those improvements" for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and scooter riders.
Committee members requested that NYSDOT provide clearer maps and scope (length of each conversion), and asked petitioners seeking permanent changes to submit documentation from neighbors or businesses. The committee did not take a vote on the DOT recommendations; members directed staff to obtain the plan/map and follow up with NYSDOT and Parks for clarification.
The committee moved on to other agenda items after public comment; no formal decision on Morris Park Avenue conversions was made at the March 9 meeting.
