Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
Borough President Molinaro alerts City agencies to hazardous traffic conditions on Dongan Hills streets
Overgrown vegetation blocks stop signs and street signs at many locations
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today alerted the Parks Department and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to many locations in Dongan Hills where overgrown vegetation blocks traffic control devices, creating hazardous traffic conditions.
“To go from Richmond Road to Hylan Boulevard – some of our Borough’s most traveled corridors – motorists take side streets such as Buel, Burgher, and Atlantic avenues,” said Molinaro. “However, it’s difficult to travel along these streets today without seeing Stop signs or street signs covered by trees.
“I have alerted the Parks Department and DOT to these hazardous locations,” Molinaro added. “If a stop sign is totally covered by a tree, it can cause an accident, injury, or even death.
“Over the past few years, I have warned about the dangers of tree branches, shrubs, and high weeds obscuring traffic control devices,” Molinaro continued. “This month, I have started to highlight specific problem locations for City agencies to address each week, and I’m pleased to report that we are making great progress.”
A tree that was blocking a new traffic light at the Staten Island Expressway on-ramp at Narrows Road North and Little Clove Road has been pruned, as has a tree that was obscuring a trailblazer sign to Snug Harbor Cultural Center on Richmond Terrace.
“Clearing these locations will help prevent traffic accidents and help tourists and residents alike find their way around our Borough,” said Molinaro. “I want to thank the Parks Department and DOT for working with me in this ongoing effort to improve traffic flow and safety on our roadways.”
To alert City agencies to hazardous locations, Molinaro asks Islanders to call his Helpline at (718) 816-2000 to report overgrown areas to the Parks Department or Department of Transportation.
June 27, 2007