Corner Construction Making Pedestrians Nervous On Manhattan's West Side

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Few New Yorkers would frown upon city improvements, but corner construction on Manhattan's West Side was making people nervous Wednesday.

"It's scary, very scary," resident Donna Davis said.

The city ripped up the sidewalk on the southeast corner of West 58th Street and 10th Avenue – not an unusual sight, but getting around it was a nail-biter for some.

CBS2's Hazel Sanchez watched as Davis gingerly made her way around the orange construction barrels.

"Sometimes I either pick up my dog or just cross the street so I can avoid it," she said. "But it is scary."

The Department of Transportation did not construct a temporary pedestrian walkway, so people had to walk or stand in the street – inches away from moving cars. It was especially challenging for people with physical challenges and others pushing baby strollers or walking dogs.

"It's very dangerous. The bigger trucks, they can't see. Especially when you're walking with the kids. It's hard," said Wajig Raza.

A safer alternative would be to avoid the corner altogether, but when you're on the move, it's inconvenient.

"I have to walk this way. I'm not going to cross the street to cross back over," Yvonne Best said.

It's not an easy option for Russ Schoumaker, who needs a walker to get around.

"It's very difficult for us people with wheelchairs, walkers, to get across the other side," he said.

The city was doing similar work just a block away on 58th and 11th, where it did take measures to protect pedestrians. Crews put up extra barrels to create a makeshift walkway.

CBS2 asked the DOT why it didn't do the same at 58th and 10th. The department said there was a temporary pedestrian walkway at that corner, but the barrels must have been moved.