Pols worry about tie-ups at new stores on Broadway

B.J.’s Wholesale Club made its grand opening on Jan. 7 and became the last storefront at the Riverdale Crossing shopping center to open its doors. With the increased patronage comes extra traffic, and local elected officials have called upon the Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct a traffic study for the surrounding area along the Broadway corridor. 

Councilman Andrew Cohen, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Rep. Eliot Engel and state Sen. Gustavo Rivera’s letter to DOT said the heavy volume of business at the shopping center could make things worse on already congested Broadway, Bailey Avenue and West 237th and 238th streets.

“With no way of knowing how recent developments affect traffic volume and safety, it is critical that the DOT conduct a traffic study so we can determine what additional traffic control measures may be needed. The opening of the Riverdale Crossing mall has already been a great addition for our community; however, it is imperative that we comprehensively examine the impact of its presence on traffic patterns and public safety,” the letter read.

DOT confirmed in an email on Monday that the request for a traffic study at Riverdale Crossing was under review. 

Mr. Dinowitz called for measures like signage or a traffic light at the 238th Street exit ramp to discourage drivers from making left turns onto Broadway while leaving the mall.

“I think cars making a left turn would have a tendency to cause traffic jams,” he said. “There needs to possibly be a traffic signal. If there’s no traffic light, then definitely only right turns.”

Mr. Dinowitz called for additional traffic lights on the Broadway corridor in order to prevent speeding and increase pedestrian safety.

“We should try to find ways to make the roads safer,” he added.