3 Intersections to Get New Stop Signs

A new stop sign is coming to one of West Harrison's busiest through streets, one of three new locations where drivers will now be required to stop on town roads.

Two new stop signs will be placed on Underhill Avenue at its intersection with Main Street. Traffic in both directions will now be required to stop at the intersection. The Harrison Town Board voted to change the traffic pattern after a recommendation from Harrison Police Chief Anthony Marraccini.

"It has become a very busy intersection," Marraccini said of Underhill Avenue, citing traffic coming in from White Plains on Main Street as a recent concern. "This is going to make that intersection much safer."

New stop signs will also be added to Woodlands Road for traffic moving in both directions at the intersection with Genessee Trail. The police chief said cars pulling out of Genessee Trail have been crossing into oncoming traffic, making the intersection a problem area.

"We've had some close calls," Marraccini said, though there have been no recent accidents in the area.

Another stop sign will be added on southbound Stonewall Circle to complete a three-way stop at a "T" intersection entering a nearby development.

There was some apprehension from residents at Wednesday's meeting who told the board they are concerned about increased waiting time along Underhill Avenue during rush hour and an overall increase of stop signs in town.

Marraccini said police will monitor the traffic in the area moving forward.

As the signs are phased in, Marraccini said police will likely issue warning tickets rather than citations for missing the stops while drivers get used to them.

"We're going to give people plenty of opportunity to adjust and get used to it," he said.