Traffic island makes it hard for drivers to turn safely

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz has requested that the Department of Transportation fix a newly installed island at the intersection of Sedgwick Avenue and Van Cortlandt Park West.

Motorists heading northbound on Sedgwick Avenue and making a left-hand turn onto Van Cortlandt Park West are affected by the newly installed island, which juts out too far for them to easily turn, according to a press release from the assemblyman’s office. 

“As it is currently designed, the situation creates obvious added risk for drivers as well as pedestrians, who may go overlooked as the driver focuses exclusively on making a successful turn,” according to Mr. Dinowiz, who noted that scuffing on the side of the island is proof of the difficulty drivers face. 

“While I am concerned with the issue created for drivers, I do not necessarily believe you need to remove the island entirely, but rather adjust the one corner to make those left handed turns easier. I hope the DOT will look into this as soon as possible, and I anxiously await their findings,” Mr. Dinowtiz said in the statement.