Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
Borough President Molinaro alerts City agencies to tree blocking new traffic light at SI Expressway on-ramp
Launches notification system to alert parks and dot to other hazardous locations
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today alerted the Parks Department and the Department of Transportation to an overgrown tree that is blocking a new traffic light at the busy intersection of Narrows Road North and Little Clove Road, just before the on-ramp to the Staten Island Expressway.
The traffic light was installed in December after the complicated merge was singled out for a safety makeover by the Mayor’s Transportation Task Force.
“I have alerted the Parks Department and DOT that this tree is totally obscuring the new traffic light at this busy intersection,” said Molinaro. “If a motorist can’t see the light, 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 added. “This is a problem not only with City trees, but trees and shrubs on private property as well.”
Molinaro reminds homeowners that Section 1115 of New York State traffic law prohibits the interference with official traffic control devices, including stop signs and yield signs. In addition, Section 319 of New York City Highway Law prohibits private trees and shrubs from blocking road signs.
To alert City agencies to hazardous locations, Molinaro has put a system in place where callers to his Helpline at (718) 816-2000 can report overgrown areas to the Parks Department or Department of Transportation.
“I invite Staten Islanders to call my Helpline to report areas of concern,” Molinaro said. “Clearing these locations will help prevent traffic and pedestrian accidents. I want to thank the Parks Department and DOT for working with me in this effort to improve traffic flow and safety on our roadways.”
June 13, 2007