Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Community Boards

Vacca Blames Bronx CB for Deadly Street Design, But He’s Culpable Too

2015-03-east-tremont_pdf
Dozens of people are injured on this part of East Tremont Avenue each year. Council Member Vacca could insist that DOT take action despite opposition from the local community board. Image: NYC DOT

DOT failed to make safety improvements to the deadly stretch of East Tremont Avenue where a driver struck and killed cyclist Giovanni Nin last month, and City Council Member James Vacca says Bronx Community Board 10 is to blame.

City Council Member James Vacca
City Council Member James Vacca
City Council Member James Vacca

In the spring of 2015 DOT put forward a road diet plan for East Tremont between Williamsbridge Road and Bruckner Boulevard, reducing through traffic lanes while adding a center turn lane, pedestrian islands, and other traffic-calming measures [PDF]. But DOT abandoned the project after CB 10 voted against it. The plan faced opposition organized by the Throggs Neck Merchants Association, according to the Bronx Times.

Hundreds of people were injured in traffic crashes on East Tremont between Williamsbridge and Bruckner from 2009 to 2013, according to DOT. Drivers injured 59 pedestrians and 10 cyclists in that time frame.

Three drivers struck and killed 74-year-old Angel Figueroa as he tried to cross East Tremont at Puritan Avenue in 2013. This June, Nin, 26, was killed by a hit-and-run driver as he attempted to bike across East Tremont about a block away from where Figueroa was struck.

At a recent memorial for Nin, Vacca -- a former transportation committee chair who used to work as district manager for CB 10 -- blasted the board for standing in the way of safety improvements.

From the Bronx Times:

“This particular stretch of East Tremont Avenue, which has claimed at least two lives in the last three years, is one of the worst stretches in this area,” said Vacca, referring to the stretch between Waterbury Avenue and Bruckner Boulevard, which has a sharp curve that causes blind spots for motorists.

“This situation needs to improve to prevent unfortunate incidents like this one from occurring, and until Community Board 10 comes up with their own solution after rejecting the Department of Transporta­tion’s plan, this stretch will continue to be dangerous for many,” the councilman said.

Vacca blamed CB 10’s inaction on a DOT-recommended plan as partly responsible for the tragic incident.

He also chastised the Throggs Neck Merchants Association for opposing DOT’s plan for this location without submitting an alternate proposal.

East Tremont Avenue, where a hit-and-run driver killed Giovanni Nin. Image: Google Maps
East Tremont Avenue, where a hit-and-run driver killed Giovanni Nin. Image: Google Maps
East Tremont Avenue, where a hit-and-run driver killed Giovanni Nin. Image: Google Maps

Vacca is right to publicly criticize CB 10 for opposing safer streets, but he could do a lot more himself. Community board votes are advisory -- they only wield veto power if elected officials and city agencies let them.

Other council members have shown how it's done. Melissa Mark-Viverito, Daniel Dromm, Brad Lander, and Steve Levin all spoke up to ensure that community board naysayers wouldn't have the final word on street safety projects. Vacca could do the same by telling DOT to move forward with safety fixes on East Tremont.

It's not the job of CB 10 or a local merchants association to design safe streets. It's up to city officials to take action to reduce traffic deaths and injuries, even when community boards want to preserve the status quo.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

NJ’s Plan to Widen the Turnpike Can Really Break Your Heart

"I've lived in a lot of places and all of them have had neighborhoods destroyed by turnpike expansion. New Jersey is no exception," said one activist.

June 2, 2025

Car Harms Monday: ‘Gridlock Sam’ Says We Have Lost Our Lives to the Automobile

Take it from the former head of the city's Department of Traffic: If we restore valuable public space to the people, the result will be a healthier, happier, and more humane city.

June 2, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Critical Mass of Rage Against the NYPD Edition

Scores of New Yorkers rode on Friday to protest the Police Department's criminal crackdown on cyclists. Plus other news.

Talking Headways Podcast: Bike Guides to Build Your City

Let's talk bike lane design guides, the importance of history, political will, and the stress of being an expert witness in court.

June 2, 2025

Cyclist: Cop Pulled a Taser During Summons Chase

In a dramatic escalation of the NYPD's criminal crackdown on bike riders, a police officer pulled a stun gun while chasing a cyclist for allegedly running a red light on a regular bike.

May 30, 2025

Albany Pols Seize the Helm(et)

Helmet laws remain controversial — they're the "common-sense" approach pushed by lawmakers who ignore that studies show they don't improve safety.

May 30, 2025
See all posts