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MAMARONECK, N.Y. – The Metro-North Railroad overpasses on Mamaroneck Avenue and Fenimore Road have been an ongoing problem for both truck and car drivers. The trucks get wedged under the bridges, and cars get stuck in the ensuing backups.
Since May 1, Mamaroneck Village Police have responded to truck-bridge incidents six times, according to Det. Sandra DiRuzza. Since Jan. 11 two truck accidents have been documented on Fenimore Road.
Village Manager Richard Slingerland said there are currently no plans to change the roadways under the bridges, but that it is not the first time the topic has been brought up for discussion.
“I think it might be about time to bring it up again with Metro-North,” he said.
Metro-North Media Liaison Marjorie Anders wrote in an email, “Metro-North stands ready to accommodate village work to improve the roads under its tracks. None of our capital projects preclude that.”
Metro-North is currently completing a construction project at its overpass on Mamaroneck Avenue, but it has nothing to do with trucks hitting the bridge, according to Anders. The railroad is replacing steel pieces to strengthen the bridge. According to Anders, work is being done on the two inside tracks, numbers 1 and 2. The outside tracks were replaced seven or eight years ago.
“The repairs, which were designed years ago, are not related to any recent damage to the bridge,” Anders said. “If the bridge is damaged by a truck strike, we make repairs immediately.”
Trucks are also getting stuck weekly on county parkways, according to Westchester County Police. The most common places include the Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, Cross County and Bronx River parkways. The most common reason is that GPS systems guide trucks along roads with low bridge clearances, according to Kieran O'Leary, spokesman for the Westchester County Police.
On Friday afternoon, Assemblyman George S. Latimer (D-91st District) held a press conference in Rye Brook proposing that New York State should mark highways more efficiently and use larger signs. Since 2008, more than 200 trucks have hit parkway bridges in Westchester, including 23 year this.
Number of Strikes Over The Past Three Years (Metro-North Railroad)
Fenimore Road (clearance 10 feet, 2 inches)
- 2010 – 4
- 2011 – 13
- 2012 – 2
Mamaroneck Avenue (clearance 10 feet, 11 inches)
- 2010 – 13
- 2011 -12
- 2012 – 11
Comments (1)
Although probably not popular, they need more signage. The height sign although conspicuous is not large, it is black on white letters vs. black on yellow for most warning signs.
The village also insists on using this space for banners such as the fireman's parade which can be distracting, causing a driver to miss the less conspicuous height warning.
One would think that an accident a month for the past 2 years and 2 a month in 2012 would prompt some kind of action. The comment from the village seems to be apathetic. Increasing clearance my be impracticable at this point but, improving signage is a simple and inexpensive solution.
In addition the signage for this area is very confusing and even when I have asked local PD what to do there is a disagreement. The right hand lane traveling into the Village has a sign straight/right, yet painted on the road is right turn only.
I Suggest the Daily follow up on this.