Dangerous Intersection – What’s the Holdup?

by Kathy Savolt -

For years there have been accidents, near accidents and complaints about the intersection of Mamaroneck and East Prospect Avenues.  The most recent incident occurred just last Saturday, March 7^th when Kana Hirano was crossing with her two young children.  Hirano and one of the children were in the crosswalk and struck by a turning car.  Luckily no one was seriously injured.  Hirano, who appeared before the Board of Trustees (BOT) at their March 9^th meeting reported being “bruised.”

Hirano appeared in order to ask the BOT for a four way stop at the intersection.  Unbeknownst to her, the Traffic Commission has been working on this issue for years.  Tina Maresca, Chair of the Commission, spoke to the BOT at the work session preceding the BOT meeting.  Maresca cited a 2024 AKRF study regarding exclusive pedestrian signal phasing, or the four way stop about which Hirano asked.

This study, published in October 2024, recommended implementation of the exclusive pedestrian phase at the Mamaroneck/Prospect intersection. See excerpt HERE. In their report, AKRF cited the following pedestrian accidents at that location:  1 in 2022-23, 4 in 2023-24 and 1 in August 2024 after the study period for a total of 6.  Maresca has been keeping count since and reported that Saturday’s accident brings the total to 9.  Maresca also noted that late Assistant Manager Dan Sarnoff had secured a grant to help fund the traffic light replacement at this intersection.

In response, Assistant Manager Dennis Delborgo reported that “AKRF was well into the design” for the new light which would include the all pedestrian phase.  When completed, pedestrians must push a button to activate this phase.  The existing light can be upgraded but new hardware is needed for the controller.  Delborgo said he would check the project status.

 Editor's Note: In the original edition the incorrect photo was used. This is the correct intersection.