Bronxville Village Trustees Vote in Favor of a Crosswalk Across Route 22
By Staff
Oct. 25, 2023: On October 16, 2023, the Bronxville Village Trustees voted 3 to 2 in favor of a mid-block crosswalk with rapid flashing beacons ("RFBs") across Route 22 to the intersection of Elm Rock Road and White Plains Road, as well as a sidewalk connecting Paddington Road to Dusenberry Road.
Elm Rock Road is situated between Paddington and Dusenberry Roads on the opposite side of White Plains Road.
Above: Corner of Paddington Road & White Plains Road looking in the direction of Dusenberry Road
Above: Corner of Dusenberry Road & White Plains Road looking in the direction of Paddington Road
The cost of the crosswalk and sidewalk is $214,670 plus additional "soft costs" such as engineering and survey expenses. The project will be funded by a State grant of $170,000 and a previously approved bond issue of $175,000.
The following Trustees voted "yes" in favor of the crosswalk: Trustee Behrens, Trustee Fredericks, and Trustee Knapp.
Each Trustee explained their reasoning for their vote. Generally speaking, those who voted "yes" did so because experts consulted in this matter, which includes, among others, a traffic consultant, an engineer, and the NY State Department of Transportation, determined that a crosswalk in this location will enhance safety. Fredericks also noted that results of the village survey indicated that residents voted 2.5 to 1 in favor of a crosswalk.
The following Trustees voted "no" to the crosswalk: Trustee Underhill and Mayor Marvin.
Mayor Marvin explained that she voted "no" primarily because, based on what she had heard from the Bronxville Police Chief, a crosswalk across Route 22 would make crossing less safe. As Marvin said, the "Police Chief believes a crosswalk at an uncontrolled location creates a false sense of security, especially for young pedestrians." Marvin further said that the Chief's view "is mirrored by the National Highway Safety Administration." She noted that the Chief "has spent 35 years viewing and assessing Route 22, and thankfully, during his tenure, there has not been a single pedestrian accident." She also said that in the 18 years she has worked with the Chief, he "has never ever steered me wrong or given me bad counsel." She further said she is "in unison with the Police Chief as our chief safety officer in the village."
Trustee Underhill explained that he voted "no" primarily because he feels that "flooding is the big issue in this village" and that the Trustees need to devote time, attention, and resources to flooding at this time rather than to the proposed crosswalk.
Click on this link to view the meeting.
