Residents fear crossing Waldo Ave. at 238th St.

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There is a stop sign at the corner of Waldo Ave at West 238th Street, but on a recent afternoon in October, a number of cars and trucks could be seen zooming ahead, never coming to a full stop. 

Pedestrian trying to make their way across the roadway said that it is an accident waiting to happen.

“It’s a tricky intersection,” said Brian Chalk, 37, who was about to cross the intersection with his 10-month-old and three-year-old children in a double stroller. “It’s never clear who is coming from where and who’s supposed to stop. It can be treacherous for people with strollers.” 

Local resident Judy Kahn, 64, agreed.  

“It’s a multi-pronged problem because cars coming from either direction can’t see if you’re crossing until they get there,” she said. 

She said her husband, who uses a mobility scooter to get around, would rather cross the street near Manhattan College Parkway than cross at West 238th Street because of the dangers. 

She claimed that trucks delivering merchandise to businesses often double-park and block the curb cut, which makes it inaccessible to residents who are disabled. 

“It needs to have that cut out dedicated to absolutely no parking,” said  Ms. Kahn. 

For Alberto Flores, 53, who was exiting a building on the corner of West 238th, the stop sign might as well be nonexistent.

“When there is a lot of traffic, everyone slows down, but when there’s no traffic, everyone kind of just speeds through,” he said. “You just have to be extra careful when you pass here. [Drivers] just keep going. They don’t stop.”

He said pedestrians trying to get across the street from the public staircases on Waldo Avenue who want to continue going west do not have a proper crosswalk. 

“They used to have it painted in the street here,” he said pointing to the fading white road surface markings. 

A spokesperson from the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) said in a statement that the DOT has received a request for a speed hump on Waldo Ave between West 238th and Manhattan College Parkway. 

It is currently in the review process. 

Tanisia Morris, Waldo Avenue, West 238th Street, Intersections, DOT, Traffic, Accidents Waiting to Happen
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