Drivers Beware

Due to construction on the Popham Road Bridge, drivers who are entering Scarsdale from the bridge are no longer permitted to make a left turn onto East Parkway. Those wishing to turn left must proceed to Chase Road to turn left. Though there is a sign on the bridge, many residents are creatures of habit and fail to notice the new regulation.

In order to enforce the new traffic pattern, the Village has installed a video camera at the intersection and a policeman is posted, at-the-ready, to give tickets to those who fail to notice that they can no longer turn left.

A woman from Edgemont reported that she inadvertently made the left onto East Parkway on Monday morning and was swiftly pulled over and given a moving violation. She asked the policemen if others were confused and he replied, “Yes, lots!”

We asked Deputy Village Manager Steve Pappalardo about the new rule and why a traffic cop was not placed at the intersection to direct traffic, rather than having a policeman on the side dispensing tickets. Here is his response.

“It’s difficult during AM and PM rush hours to physically place an officer in that intersection to direct traffic. Although we do utilize this detail, it is a tight area and the officers need to be careful not to get in the way of traffic for their own personal safety.”

“We publicized the restriction at a televised Village Board meeting and the Scarsdale Inquirer and the bridge contractor installed the appropriate signs on April 14. There are “No Left Turn” signs for eastbound traffic on the southwest side of the bridge as you approach the intersection and another on the traffic signal pole adjacent to the light. We also have a small hand written sign adjacent to the traffic island on the north side of the intersection between the East Parkway north and southbound lanes. In addition, after reviewing the situation in the field yesterday, the Village will be painting pavement markings to read “No Left Turn” at the intersection and will replace the small hand written sign with a larger sign to match the one on the bridge.”

“We will also eliminate the 10 second red signal delay for westbound Popham traffic to allow for eastbound Popham motorists to make the left hand turn onto East Parkway. This was no longer needed since the left hand turn is prohibited.”

“Regarding enforcement, we have found it to be the best way to quickly achieve compliance which is ultimately our objective. From a traffic safety standpoint it is important that this left hand turning movement be eliminated and the turn occur at the Chase Road intersection. In observing the traffic movements yesterday afternoon, I was very pleased with the compliance and believe that motorists are more aware of the prohibition and that violations will diminish.”