New ShopRite Traffic Plan Won’t Help Mt. Kisco Residents, Motorists
Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.
I am writing about recent reporting in The Examiner indicating that the previously planned reconfiguration of Route 117, North Bedford Road, in Mount Kisco has been changed.
The initial plan reported to residents of Foxwood and Brookside Condominiums by the property owner was to reconfigure the current traffic lights and have entrance and exit points for the new ShopRite align with the condominium driveways. Nearby residents were advised that this realignment would create improved traffic patterns and movement, even with increased traffic generated by ShopRite.
We are now told that the realignment plan has either been abandoned or delayed because a current commercial tenant has decided not to vacate before the end of their lease, thus creating a physical obstacle for the realignment. We are advised, however, that traffic issues will actually be better resolved by the planned creation of an alternate entrance/exit plan for ShopRite adjacent to Kohl’s.
Below is a link to a previous Examiner article from 2017, wherein the property owner for the new ShopRite is quoted, during a traffic nightmare related to Con Edison work, saying that “traffic volume into the complex reaches about 400 cars an hour during peak periods as people head to the Saw Mill Club, Safe Haven Self Storage and other businesses.” https://www.theexaminernews.com/con-ed-work-wreaks-havoc-on-mt-kisco-drivers-merchants/
The problem is that even before construction begins on the new ShopRite the traffic and air quality is horrendous between car trailers from auto dealers to school buses to the cars from hundreds and hundreds of residents who live in the densely-populated northern portion of the village (a majority, or near majority, of residents).
And then, of course, add in the traffic from the “400 cars” leaving Saw Mill Club East and other businesses during “peak” hours previously reported by the property owner, with the poorly-configured traffic pattern. This is not only an unhealthy environment for the residents, but also has at times negatively impacted businesses in the corridor.
The only thing that would help address these issues would be if ALL of the traffic from all of the current businesses at that complex would also enter, and exit, from the Kohl’s adjacent site.
Judith Sage
Mount Kisco
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