An impressive list of initiatives being taken to make Hartsdale an even better & safer place to live in
At the work session of the Town Board on Tuesday August 24th, Planning Commissioner Garrett Duquesne presented updates on a series of infrastructure improvements that are presently being planned or are now under construction by the Town, along the East Hartsdale Avenue/West Hartsdale Avenue and Four Corners corridor. A link of the presentation is here: https://youtu.be/7f8p5iei660
A brief summary of the various initiatives underway follows. The planning efforts described below and in the presentation are often the result of excellent advocacy by residents, civic associations, and safety committees. The Town appreciates the input of residents and is confident that the initiatives described will increase safety and enhance quality of life for residents.
Central Ave/Lawton Avenue HAWK – to increase safety and visibility for pedestrians, the Town is in the process of completing and awarding a bid for construction of a pedestrian activated light signal at the intersection of Central Avenue and Lawton Avenue. The design is approved by NYSDOT engineers and includes drainage improvements, bulb-out curbing, and the signal. When activated by a pedestrian seeking to cross Central Avenue in the location of the existing crosswalk, the new signal which would extend horizontal across the avenue. Red lights will be displayed stopping traffic in all directions and facilitating safe pedestrian crossing. Construction will occur November 2021 or 1st quarter 2022 depending on the NYSDOT winter moratorium date. A multi-modal grant from NYS will partially fund this project.
Central Avenue Sidewalk – The Town was a successful recipient of a prior Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for the construction of a sidewalk on Central Park Avenue beginning at Four Corners, and extending south to Marion Avenue. A connection from Glasshouse 250 to the intersection south is also included. The project is approximately 75% complete and is projected to be complete in October. The design includes the sidewalk, drainage improvements, pedestrian signals/signage, updated bus stops and landscaping.
North Washington Avenue Sidewalk – The Town recently applied for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for funding for sidewalks along North Washington Avenue from West Hartsdale Avenue to the Greenburgh Housing Authority site on Elmwood Road. If awarded, the sidewalk is planned to also extend to Fox Glenn Drive, at the intersection of Westchester Square Shopping Center. The Town of Greenburgh Sidewalk Prioritization Report can be found at this link: https://greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/6705/Town-of-Greenburgh-Sidewalk-Prioritization-Report-DRAFT-4-8-2020
West Hartsdale Avenue Sidewalk – As part of a forthcoming Town 2021 TAP grant application, the Town will seek funding for the design and construction of a new sidewalk on the south and west side of West Hartsdale extending from Central Park Avenue/Four Corners to Secor Road, at which point, the sidewalk would switch to the other side of West Hartsdale Avenue and extend to Pat Capone Road. This is a significant gap in the sidewalk network of the Town and would provide safe connections to three schools and the Central Avenue/East Hartsdale Avenue corridor. https://www.change.org/p/new-york-state-create-a-sidewalk-along-w-hartsdale-ave-greenburgh?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_28601695_en-US%3A7&recruiter=1198118842&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition
East Hartsdale Avenue Pedestrian Improvements – The Town has utilized the services of planning and engineering firm AKRF to design pedestrian safety improvements along East Hartsdale Avenue from the Hartsdale Train Station to Wilson Street. AKRF will present these plans at a work session of the Town Board in September. The improvements generally consist of traffic calming curb extensions, updated crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, etc. These improvements proposed are also a component of the planned 2021 TAP grant application and are planned in connection with the Adaptive Traffic Control System described in the next section.
Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) - The Town has utilized the services of planning and engineering firm AKRF to design an ATCS for East Hartsdale Avenue and the intersection of Four Corners. The system is designed to respond to peak traffic volumes and give greater priority to the direction experiencing heavy volumes. For West Hartsdale Avenue and East Hartsdale Avenue, this would translate to giving longer through timing down West Hartsdale Avenue to the train station at morning peak and would give longer through time through Four Corners in the PM peak. AKRF will present these plans at a work session of the Town Board in September. These improvements proposed are also a component of the planned 2021 TAP grant application.
MTA Train Station Upgrades – MTA/Metro North Officials recently updated the Town regarding the timeline for the Hartsdale Train Station improvement project and have indicated that construction is anticipated to begin first quarter 2022. The major component of the project is the new elevator which will connect to the existing overpass, providing enhanced ADA accessibility. Additional improvements include improved signage, seating, and platform renovations. The project is anticipated to take approximately 18 months.
Four Corners Infrastructure Analysis – Planning Update – In November, AKRF will present at a Town Board meeting, updates of the study it is carrying out for the Town regarding traffic/stormwater/infrastructure analysis in support of the Four Corners Redevelopment Plan. The Four Corners Redevelopment Plan is a land-use plan approved by the Town Board in 2019 as a supplement to the Comprehensive Plan, which envisions redevelopment along Four Corners. New buildings, updated and accessible structured parking, pocket parks/public plaza space, etc. are all components of this plan, which was the subject of public support and advocacy. The Four Corners Redevelopment Plan can be accessed at this link: https://greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/7955/Four-Corners-Redevelopment-Plan-dated-5-22-19
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor