The “Wrong Way Task Force,” established by Westchester County Executive George Latimer in 2020, finished its final review of the County owned and patrolled Bronx River Parkway and released its accomplishments, including the advisement of installing approximately 160 new signs along the parkway.
Made up of Westchester citizens and elected officials, the group reconvened in July 2021, after the COVID-19 pandemic halted the review process.
Since the formation of the Task Force, the Westchester County Department of Public Works has fabricated and installed approximately 160 signs on the Bronx River Parkway including:
- 15 – Do Not Enter
- 130 – Wrong Way
- Eight – No Left Turn
- Three – One Way
- Four – Parkway Entrance
The Westchester County Department of Public Works also painted 30 new pavement arrows on exit ramps and at traffic signals with an additional 22 planned for installation this year.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “This task force is has completed its mission after taking inventory and examining the entire Bronx River Parkway in our great County, which runs roughly over 13 miles. From the Kensico Dam to Yonkers, their meticulous work has resulted in a safer parkway for motorists here at home and for visitors to safely get to their destination. I also want to thank our Westchester County Police ‘Baker 1’ patrol who are out there 24 hours a day 7 days a week.”
Department of Environmental Facilities Deputy Commissioner Erin O’Shea chairs the task force and said, “When County Executive George Latimer established this task force our charge was to take inventory of potential problem zones and recommend immediate remedies. We believe we have done just that. The Task Force conducted several field visits, during which every intersection and entrance/exit ramp along the Bronx River Parkway was studied, resulting in a Final Report containing recommendations that we believe, if implemented, will increase safety and cause a reduction in wrong-way driving incidents along the Bronx River Parkway. We are grateful to County Executive Latimer for establishing this Task Force and are proud to have been part of such an important initiative.”
Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation Commissioner Hugh J. Greechan, Jr., PE said, “With the issuance of Bronx River Parkway Wrong Way Task Force Final Report, this Department is proud to play a critical role in the implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations. I would also like to express my gratitude for all the hard work undertaken by our Traffic Engineering, Road Maintenance and Sign shop staff to make the Task’s Force’s vision a reality.”
The Wrong Way Task Force also made further recommendations including the advisement of adding “Wrong Way” signs to the backs of existing “Speed Limit” signs. These would be installed every 4000 feet and would provide additional warning to errant drivers if they pass all of the signs at the ramps and intersections. The group also suggested the addition of enhanced street lighting and exploring the use of emerging video technology and real-time notifications for errant drivers.
In 2021, there were six reported wrong way incidents on the Bronx River Parkway compared to 12 incidents reported in 2020 and 2019.