STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Citing 42 injuries in recent years, the city is targeting Forest Avenue, one of Staten Island’s “highest-crash” roads, for a series of safety upgrades aimed at slowing traffic and protecting pedestrians.
During a recent Community Board 1 meeting, representatives from the Department of Transportation sketched out a strategy to improve visibility for the following intersections: Forest Avenue and Harbor Plaza; Forest Avenue and Harbor Road; Forest Avenue and Richmond Avenue.
“NYC DOT through Vision Zero is committed to improving pedestrian safety through improvements that provide more pedestrian space, allow for safer and slower turns, and increase visibility for drivers,” the agency told the Advance/SILive.com. “These design features have been successfully installed across the city and are proven tools to save lives, and will make traveling on Forest Avenue, a Vision Zero priority corridor that is one of Staten Island’s highest-crash streets, safer for everyone who uses it.”
The first proposal involves shortening the 80-foot-long stretch of crosswalk between Forest Avenue and Richmond Avenue by constructing a concrete median. That way, pedestrians can have a safe space to stand while crossing the road…