Scope
This Vision Zero capital project will improve pedestrian safety and accessibility near two schools in the northwest Bronx. In Riverdale, adjacent to the Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) Academy, the project will construct new sidewalks as a part of the full reconstruction of West 254th Street from Arlington Avenue to Railroad Terrace. In Woodlawn, the project will normalize the intersection of East 238th Street and Van Cortlandt Park East, improving pedestrian safety conditions in the vicinity of the Judith K. Weiss Woodlawn School (P.S. 19).
Location 1: West 254th Street – Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) Academy:
This project will fully reconstruct West 254th Street between Arlington Avenue and Railroad Terrace, including construction of 5-foot grade-separated sidewalk on both sides of the street. Sidewalk construction will correct the safety and accessibility issues identified on this portion of West 254th Street, while full roadway reconstruction will bring this underbuilt street to a state of good repair. The new street configuration permits construction within the existing 35- to 40-foot street envelope between Independence and Palisade Avenues, and is intended to minimize acquisition and costly impacts to the masonry walls lining both sides of West 254th Street.
1A: West 254th Street between Arlington and Independence Avenues
As a part of the full street reconstruction of these limits, the project will construct new 5-foot, grade-separated sidewalks on both sides of the street. On the north side, the project will construct 5-foot ribbon sidewalk, aligned approximately with the existing ribbon sidewalk adjacent to 5403 Arlington Avenue. Ribbon sidewalk is contextually appropriate for the low-density, residential character of this R1-1 and R1-2 zoned neighborhood, and may allow for preservation of some of the existing mature trees within the right-of-way. New street trees may also be feasible at this location if the green strip inside of the ribbon sidewalk is 5 feet or greater in width.
On the south side of the street, the project will construct a standard 5-foot sidewalk adjacent to the existing masonry walls, in the footprint of the current parking lane. Ribbon sidewalk is less desirable
on the south side of this segment because the houses and front lawns are physically separated from the street by high hedges, rows of trees, and taller masonry walls (3- to 6-feet) than on the north side. This side of the street does not include any trees within the built right-of-way that would require the root space provided by ribbon sidewalk, also indicating that conventional sidewalk is a more appropriate treatment on this side.
1B: West 254th Street between Independence and Sycamore Avenues:
Between Independence and Sycamore Avenues, the project will construct 5-foot sidewalk on both sides of West 254th Street as a part of property line to property line reconstruction. The new sidewalk will be sited adjacent to the existing masonry walls, which should be left undisturbed to the greatest extent possible.
1C: West 254th Street between Sycamore Avenue and Railroad Terrace:
Between Sycamore Avenue and Railroad Terrace, the project will reconstruct West 254th Street to a width of 35 feet, including construction of 5-foot grade-separated sidewalk on both sides.
Location 2: Van Cortlandt Park East – Judith K. Weiss Woodlawn School (P.S. 19):
The capital project will construct a large curb extension the southwest corner of Van Cortlandt Park East and East 238th Street, normalizing the slip lane condition and reducing the crossing distance to approximately 35 feet. Opposite the new curb extension, the project will also extend the curbline on Ley Triangle by several feet and construct a new pedestrian ramp. The project will introduce a crosswalk at the new narrower crossing, increasing pedestrian connectivity on the south side of Van Cortlandt Park East and improving access to the triangle.
In addition to the work at East 238th Street, the project will upgrade three pedestrian ramps at Van Cortlandt Park East’s intersection with Oneida Avenue: two at the northeast corner of Ley Triangle, and one receiving ramp across Van Cortlandt Park East. Reconstruction of these three ramps will improve connectivity between the Woodlawn street grid and amenities in Van Cortlandt Park, including the Oneida Run dog park and hiking trail. The project may also introduce a marked crossing between these ramps, pending the outcome of an Intersection Control Unit (ICU) study that DOT will conduct in parallel with design procurement.
