City Eyes Ways to Improve Safety at Greenway Entrance Updated April 21, 2011 3:52pm

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By Carla Zanoni

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — The Department of Transportation (DOT) said it is in talks with Community Board 12 to find ways to improve safety on a road that connects the neighborhood to the Hudson River Greenway. 

After hearing complaints from pedestrians and cyclists who use the stretch where Riverside Drive becomes an on-ramp to the Henry Hudson Parkway to access the Greenway, a DOT spokeswoman said the department is investigating ways to improve safety and calm traffic at the location. 

A small stretch of Riverside Drive is used by motorists speeding up to gain access to the Henry Hudson Parkway as well as cyclists and pedestrians entering an overpass that leads to the Greenway. (DNAinfo/Jason Tucker)

Members of the board "will actively engage the DOT reps so that this dangerous situation is resolved," CB12 chair Pamela Palanque-North wrote in an email.

Last week, residents complained that changes made to the on-ramp late last year now make it too dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists to access the Hudson River Greenway.

The only way for people to access the Greenway is by crossing Riverside Drive, right before it turns into the highway.

For cyclists, the street is particularly dangerous as a lane of parking for cars added by the city in the late fall squeezes bikes into the midst of traffic, including oncoming cars.

Garbage piled up each Monday and Wednesday on the sidewalk outside 1380 Riverside Drive forces people to walk in the street.

The Department of Sanitation has not responded to inquiries regarding the trash pick up.

CB12 also plans to hold a community bike forum to discuss safety issues on June 16.

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• City to Work With Community to Improve Safety at Henry Hudson On-Ramp Residents say changes to a residential street that serves as an on-ramp to the Henry Hudson Parkway are dangerous.  [DNAinfo/Carla Zanoni]

By Carla Zanoni, DNAinfo.com

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