Work will include improvements to bus stops and traffic signals

Downtown Mount Vernon will soon undergo a face-lift.  Work to improve the area will begin this Monday (May 12) at Petrillo Plaza, the area of East Prospect Avenue between North Third Avenue and Park Avenue.

The $2.4 million construction project is a joint initiative of Westchester County and the City of Mount Vernon.  It will enlarge the waiting area for Bee-Line passengers, install new bus shelters and benches, street lighting and a landscaped center median along East Prospect Avenue.  The street will also be paved and new traffic signals installed.

“This project is a springboard for Mount Vernon to redevelop the downtown area,” said County Executive Andy Spano.  “Not only will it be welcomed by all who visit the area, but our bus passengers will be able to wait for buses in comfort and out of the elements.”

County Transportation Commissioner Lawrence C. Salley said, “With 3,500 daily passengers, Petrillo Plaza is the third busiest bus stop in the Bee-Line system.  We want to make available to our Mount Vernon passengers amenities that have been included in the White Plains and New Rochelle bus terminal projects.”

“Public transportation is vital to Mount Vernon residents,” said Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young.  “This project will benefit not only bus riders but all those who visit our downtown area to work or shop.”

Funding for the project came from various Federal Transit Administration and New York State Department of Transportation grants.

During construction, Bee-Line Routes 7, 40, 41, 43 and 55 that normally serve passengers on the south side of Petrillo Plaza will be moved to Elm Avenue next to Metro-North’s Mount Vernon East railroad station.  Passengers were handed information on the project last week, and signs have been posted at the bus stop reminding passengers of the construction.  Passengers who use Routes 53 and 54 will find their buses at West Prospect Avenue and Gramatan Avenue.

Vernon Hills Landscaping of Mount Vernon is the general contractor for the project and will be supervised by the county Department of Public Works.