One of the Most Dangerous Corners in Westchester

The intersection of Fort Hill Road and Ardsley Road in Edgemont is one of the most dangerous in Westchester.  Over a period of  ten years, the neighborhood has tussled over whether a traffic light should be installed.

On Sunday, October 14, a blinking red warning light was connected to the wire grid. The light was not activated until three weeks ago after a  large accident occurred. The flashing light greatly enhances the visibility of the approaching  four-way stop signs compared to the poorly visible stop sign which you can see in the photo below.

I decided to find out just how many accidents have occurred at this intersection.  I spoke to Sergeant Foltin, Commanding Officer of the Traffic and Safety Unit of the Greenburgh Police Department. Here are the statistics with the year and number of accidents:

2006    17
2007    15
2008    32
2009    13
2010    20
2011    18
2012    15
2013      3

As you can see, a solution was needed.  However, based on the fact that since the light was activated there have already been three accidents, has the light helped?  At this rate, there will be over 36 accidents in 2013.

Edgemont High School Handicap Access

Edgemont High School is built on a California or an open access campus, instead of one large collegiate gothic style building. There are five different buildings that hold classes. A major problem the school has is handicap accessibility.

When entering the campus by way of the main offices, the only way to get to any of the classes is via a large number of staircases.  The only wheel chair access is by way of the back entrance to the school via Old Colony Road.

There are two sidewalks from the parking lot. One sidewalk goes down a sloped hill but has 3 steps.  The only way to enter the campus in a wheel chair is by entering the E building, which has an elevator that takes you to the lower level of the campus.

Wheel and Deals

Central Avenue is the road that divides Edgemont in two halves. Why is this road in that location?

Central Avenue was originally going to be a thorough fare that connected New York City with the state capital in Albany.

The contract for this road was handled by one of the most renowned corrupt politicians in New York history, William Magrear Tweed, better known as "Boss Tweed."

It has been alleged that the towns that wanted the road gave bribes and kickbacks to Mr. Tweed's organization in order to bring commerce to their towns.

Central Park Avenue was completed in 1871, but never reached Albany. The road was only reached as far as White Plains, ending at the present day location of  the Westchester County Center.

All Good Things For the New Year

2013, a new year and a new beginning!  My thoughts and wishes go out to the Spierer family whose daughter, Lauren Spierer, went missing from the University of Indiana in Bloomington on June 3, 2011. The people  who were last with her on the night of her disappearance have refused to speak to police or report anonymously what occurred that night.

May the new year bring  conscious and resolve to the people who know what happened.

Solution Found

It's nice to see that a solution has been found and executed for a safe crossing on Edgemont Road by Crane Pond.

In my September 15th blog, I talked about a proposed raised crossing on Edgemont Road by Crane Pond. The raised sidewalk was to slow down traffic and make it safe to cross the road into Crane Pond.  The project was to be scheduled last summer, however the cost was estimated to be over $90,000, so the project was put on hold.

In my October 13th blog, I posted some pictures showing how Massachusetts and Connecticut have solved their problems. It sure looks like solution to the crossing at Edgemont Road is simular to the suggestion I proposed at that time. Perhaps Paul Feiner is reading my blog.

Bad Dream Becomes Nightmare

My heart goes out to everyone who was touched by the horrific massacre that occurred in Connecticut .  If not now, when is the time for a discussion of mental health issues and gun control?

Back in 2000, when I began attending the Greenville School, my mom says she used to complain that all entrances to the school were open all day long. She says when she expressed her concerns to the administration her fears were dismissed. Last night, she attended a party and spoke to a parent whose two children are presently attending Greenville. The red front doors are still unmanned and open to anyone. During the extensive reconstruction project of the school, no security measures were put in place.

The Edgemont Junior/Senior High has five separate buildings. All are completely open. Anyone not associated with the school can easily gain access to the campus by entering via the Old Colony Road entrance.

Security measures did not prevent the unthinkable. But the breaking in of the doors in Newtown, allowed time for a call to 911 to be made. Precious moments would be lost in a situation where school officials are unaware of an uninvited person entering a school building.

When will this problem be addressed?

Edgemont-Farm Country

Edgemont wasn't always a place of beautiful homes and paved roads.  At one time,our area was a collection of many farms.  A look at the map above and  you will notice four of the main roads that still exist today. All the land west of Fort Hill Road from Ardsley Road north to Underhill Road was owned by four families. Grand Army  Road (which was called Tuckahoe Road ) was home to one farm on the east side of the road.

Our town maps and many others are viewable by appointment at the Erskein Dewitt Map Collection at the New York Historical Society. The New York Historical Society is located at 77th street and Central Park West.