On the heels of Gun Hill Road being named the Bronx’s most dangerous thoroughfare, the Department of Transportation is attempting to identify and address some of the issues facing the road through a new federally funded congestion mitigation program.

The program is in the midst of addressing problems on four similarly congested and dangerous roads around New York City.

In order to identify specific problems and determine how best to address them, the DOT solicited feedback from the community during a public input session at the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center on April 26.
Kol Gjelaj, the project manager for the Gun Hill Road program, says easing congestion on the busy street will not be easy. 

Over the past four years, five pedestrians were killed on Gun Hill Road and between 2006 and 2008, 57 serious traffic accidents occurred in the Norwood section of the road, between Webster and Jerome avenues. 

Gjelaj says the project will include three upcoming public presentations leading up to a final presentation, most likely in the fall, when the program’s recommendations for the corridor will be introduced.

“You can’t expect miracles,” says Gjelaj, “but we’re going to look at everything.”

Problems on the road include everything from pedestrian jaywalking, drivers speeding to beat stop lights, and ambulances rushing to and from Montefiore Medical Center’s emergency room.

The public input session at the community center on Gun Hill Road and DeKalb Avenue received a sparse turnout. Aside from the usual problems, however, those who did show up called for more bike racks and complained about drivers using 211th Street as a means of avoiding traffic on Gun Hill Road, among other things.

Dennis O’Brien, owner of A & O Surgical Supplies on Gun Hill Road and Putnam Place, thinks that a lot of the street’s problems could be solved if drivers and pedestrians simply followed the rules. “Until the rules are enforced,” O’Brien said, “things are not going to improve.”

O’Brien said an employee of his was struck by a vehicle making an illegal U-turn.

“Every time you walk on Gun Hill Road, you’re taking your life into your hands,” he said.

Ed. Note: To submit a complaint or suggestion to be considered by the congestion program, visit www.nyc.gov/dot and click on the ‘Congested Corridors’ link under the DOT Initiatives section. Or, call the Gun Hill Road Congested Corridor Study at (212) 839-7722.