Release #352-00

 

Contact:

Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter (212) 788-2958

Extension Will Alleviate Traffic Congestion On Eastchester Road In The Bronx

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, New York State Senator Guy J. Velella and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Iris Weinshall today announced that, in an effort to ease congestion in the Northeast section of the Bronx, the City will extend Stillwell Avenue between Eastchester Road and the Pelham Parkway.

"The extension of Stillwell Avenue will reduce the traffic congestion on Eastchester Road and greatly improve the quality of life for those traveling through The Bronx," said Mayor Giuliani. "Once the Department of Transportation completes construction on this extension, motorists will have an easier time of traveling to the Pelham Parkway. I want to thank Senator Velella for bringing this matter to my attention, and I am pleased that we will be able to complete this expansion by the end of next month."

"I am proud that Mayor Giuliani has honored my request to open Stillwell Avenue," said Senator Velella. "By our opening of this new exit onto Pelham Parkway, every resident of The Bronx wins. The bottom line is that trucks will no longer be putting our children at risk by traveling through our residential neighborhoods, and traffic will flow more freely in our community."

DOT will construct the new 400-foot roadway, which is expected to be completed by the end of October 2000. Upon completion, northbound Eastchester Road motorists will be able to turn onto the new roadway and head directly to the Pelham Parkway, and avoid the congested Eastchester Road-Pelham Parkway intersection.

"We have seen traffic increase on Eastchester Road over the years, due in large part to the tremendous growth of various local health care facilities in the area," said Commissioner Weinshall. "This new roadway will help alleviate the traffic congestion for visitors, employees and students at these health-care facilities, as well as for local residents, once this project is complete."