A long-awaited traffic control, on a community’s wish list for many years, is on its way to becoming a reality.
Residents of Waterbury-LaSalle are celebrating after a request for a traffic light at the corner of Coddington and Crosby avenues, a corner where residents petitioned the NYC Department of Transportation for a traffic signal in recent years, was approved.
Community Board 10’s district manager Matt Cruz recently put in a request for a traffic light at the location, following an earlier request by the previous CB 10 district manager.
“A request was made by CB10 and DOT studied the location and found the signal feasible,” stated DOT spokeswoman Alana Morales concerning the new signal. “It was approved this month and is scheduled for installation by the end of the year.”
Cruz said that he believes the installation of a traffic light at this corner will finally calm the intersection and let motorists navigate through it with clear visibility.
“People will slow down because they see that traffic signal, and it will prevent a lot of the accidents and near misses that so many people were so concerned about,” said Cruz.
Cruz added: “Unfortunately DOT has to see statistics, but the community knew for a long time that it needed this and we are glad that DOT finally confirmed our request.”
Michelle Torrioni said she recalls that the late Joe Oddo, her predecessor as president of the Pelham Bay Taxpayers and Community Association, who lived near the intersection, was a fierce advocate for the traffic light.
A Bronx Times article from 2014 reported that Oddo collected over 200 signatures in two and half hours on a petition calling for a street light at the intersection, citing poor visibility for motorists crossing Crosby from Coddington Avenue.
Torrioni said motorists traveling eastbound on Coddington Avenue (from the direction of East Tremont Avenue) to cross or turn on Crosby Avenue were vulnerable because of limited visibility, sometimes worsened by trucks or vans that parked close to the street corners.
“It is a win for the community,” said Torrioni.
Mary Jane Musano, president of the Waterbury-LaSalle Community Association said there were lots of accidents at the intersection.
“Crosby Avenue is a commercial thoroughfare, with a lot of people walking and passing through at any given hour, and this is a nice safety enhancement,” said Cruz.
