STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The city Department of Transportation recently put a new traffic signal array up on Howard Avenue on Grymes Hill.
The traffic light outside the soon-to-be-former St. John’s University campus, between Claire Court and Arlo Road.
The Department of Transportation has installed a new traffic light at the intersection of Howard Avenue and Claire Court, near Arlo Road, just outside the St. John's University campus. (Staten Island Advance/Thomas Wrobleski)(Staten Island Advance/Thomas Wr
It’s a bit of bad timing for the DOT. After all, traffic is going to certainly drop off at that spot once St. John’s closes.
Well, it takes time to get all the approvals for a traffic light. Who knew that St. John’s was preparing to fold its tent?
And to be fair, something is sure to be built on the sprawling campus, so vehicles are very likely going to be going in and out again someday. Maybe a lot of vehicles, depending on what gets built there.
So DOT can justify putting the light there. Just like they justified putting a ridiculous series of speed bumps along the roadway. No road is safe enough under current Vision Zero rubrics.
A speed bump or two, decently spaced apart, you simply have to accept these days. But a whole series of them, one right after the other? It’s ridiculous. It makes a conga line out of traffic and probably encourages more motorists to hit the gas in order to make up for lost time once they’ve cleared the bumps.
Now we have to stop at an additional red light. We should be getting used to all the traffic-calming devices that DOT is installing. At least we’d better get used to it because it’s only going to get worse.
Some people drive too fast on Howard Avenue. I know that. It’s in my neighborhood and I take the road all the time. I saw my share of cars veering into the opposite lane in order to pass another vehicle.
But, honestly, was never that bad a road to drive. This is not some boulevard of death full of car violence and carnage.
Still, DOT wants to make the road safer, not just for drivers, but for cyclists and pedestrians as well.
Not that you see a whole heck of a lot of either on Howard. Sure, you’ll see kids from the Wagner College sports teams jogging along the road sometimes. And you’ll see the odd cyclist here and there.
But there’s one major thing missing that would actually serve to make Howard Avenue much safer than it is today: Sidewalks.
Simple, right?
If you’re a pedestrian on Howard Avenue between Arlo Road and Louis Street, you take your life in your hands.
Overgrowth makes it nearly impossible for pedestrians to walk safely on this portion of Howard Avenue on Grymes Hill. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance
There are areas of overgrowth that practically force you to walk in the street. And while other areas have at least a strip of rocky ground or grass to walk on, you’re still dangerously close to passing vehicles.
Cars pass close to area where pedestrians would have trouble walking safely on Howard Avenue on Grymes Hill. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance
And to even find those little patches of ground to walk on requires you to cross the street multiple times. Which isn’t safe. Believe me, I’ve done it.
Sidewalk-less portion of Howard Avenue on Grymes Hill. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance
Add to that some poor-visibility turns along the roadway, private home driveways with blind spots and the occasional contractor or landscaping vehicle blocking the sidewalk and you’ve got some real hazards on your hands. Especially at night or in rainy or snowy weather.
Dangerous stretch of Howard Avenue on Grymes Hill without sidewalks. (Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance)Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance
More traffic lights, speed bumps or stop signs aren’t going to solve that.
Forget about traffic lights and speed bumps. Here’s how to really make Howard Avenue safer (opinion)
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08.12.2023
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The city Department of Transportation recently put a new traffic signal array up on Howard Avenue on Grymes Hill.
The traffic light outside the soon-to-be-former St. John’s University campus, between Claire Court and Arlo Road.
The Department of Transportation has installed a new traffic light at the intersection of Howard Avenue and Claire Court, near Arlo Road, just outside the St. John's University campus. (Staten Island Advance/Thomas Wrobleski)(Staten Island Advance/Thomas Wr
It’s a bit of bad timing for the DOT. After all, traffic is going to certainly drop off at that spot once St. John’s closes.
Well, it takes time to get all the approvals for a traffic light. Who knew that St. John’s was preparing to fold its tent?
And to be fair, something is sure to be built on the sprawling campus, so vehicles are very likely going to be going in and out again someday. Maybe a lot of vehicles, depending on what gets built there.
So DOT can........
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