Lawmakers, neighbors call for safety upgrades at University Heights intersection

Bronx officials and residents are pushing to make one University Heights intersection safer after a fatality and dozens of injuries.

News 12 Staff

Dec 22, 2018, 7:11 PM

Updated 1,943 days ago

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Bronx officials and residents are pushing to make one University Heights intersection safer after a fatality and dozens of injuries.
They say the intersection at West Fordham Road and Sedgwick Avenue has been a safety hazard for the past few years.
According to city Department of Transportation data given to News 12 by Councilman Fernando Cabrera, 15 pedestrians, two bicyclists and 62 drivers have been hurt at the intersection from 2012 to 2016.
One woman, Carmen Puello, was killed at the intersection when she was run over by a school bus in Oct. 2016.
Cabrera is calling on the city's DOT to add more signage for drivers trying to make a left turn onto West Fordham Road from Sedgwick Avenue. He also wants a turn signal installed for drivers trying to make that turn.
"Something needs to be done to remedy this so we don't have another fatality," Cabrera says.
A DOT spokesperson told News 12 in a written statement: "DOT is currently evaluating Fordham Road for potential safety enhancements and will explore new improvements for this intersection."
The DOT also says it implemented a "Safe Streets for Seniors" project at the site in 2009, which included curb extensions, installation of pedestrian refuge islands and the closure of the westbound slip ramp to help accommodate bus turnaround.


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