Bronx - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) has made a formal request to the Department of Transportation to fix a newly installed island that is creating a potentially dangerous situation for motorists and pedestrians at the intersection of Sedgwick Avenue and Van Cortlandt Park West. The problem exists for motorists heading northbound on Sedgwick Avenue who are making a left handed turn onto Van Cortlandt Park West. As it is currently designed, the newly installed island at this intersection juts out a bit too far for these turning motorists, making the turn excessively difficult. The situation creates obvious added risk for drivers as well as pedestrians, who may go overlooked as the driver focuses exclusively on making a successful turn.

“It is obvious from the scuffing on the side of the island that plenty of drivers have hit the island while making this turn, creating a dangerous situation for the motorists and pedestrians alike,” Dinowitz said. “While I am concerned with the issue created for drivers, I do not necessarily believe you need to remove the island entirely, but rather adjust the one corner to make those left handed turns easier. I hope the DOT will look into this as soon as possible, and I anxiously await their findings.”