Woman Continues Decades Old Crusade To Improve Safety At Bronx Intersection
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- A Bronx woman has been on a 50 year crusade to make her neighborhood safe. She claims that a dangerous intersection outside of her home is threatening the lives of drivers everyday.
"This is so bad. I have dreams at night that I'm gonna be the one that's gonna get hit over here," Mary Collins told CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez.
Collins has lived off the corner of Crosby and Coddington Avenues in the Bronx for more than 50 years. She has been fighting for a traffic light at the intersection since 1961, when she staged a rally with a group of concerned moms pushing babies in their carriages.
"We started over there, and we started to cross the street slowly, and when we got to the other side we turn around and go back, so of course this slowed down traffic," she said.
Collins' efforts prompted the city to study the intersection several times over the years, but no light has been installed, just two stop signs.
Drivers say it isn't enough.
"The driver finds himself inching up because his view is blocked by 3 trees and 3 to 4 SUVs," Joe Oddo said.
CBS 2's cameras were on hand as car after car rolled into the intersection. It's a scenario that has been responsible for countless accidents, including a two car collision that took place last year.
In response to community concern the Department of Transportation said that they will study the intersection and have findings ready by the end of the summer. Collins said that if the DOT's conclusion does not include a traffic light she will be back on the street protesting again.
"This time it'll be old broads crossing the street. Instead of the carriages we'll have the canes and the walkers," she said.
It is a personal crusade that Collins will not give up.
the DOT said that there have not been any fatalities at the intersection since at least 2008, and no severe injuries between 2008 and 2012, which was the most recent data available.
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