A Round and a Roundy: Extreme Makeover Edition
Why does it take so many deaths before the city Department of Transportation tames the monster?
By
Streetsblog
1:37 PM EDT on June 15, 2021
This week’s question is, “Why does it take so many deaths before the city Department of Transportation redesigns a roadway to be safer?”
We started asking that question anew last month after the death of teacher Matthew Jensen on McGuinness Boulevard, where 11 pedestrians and three cyclists have been killed since 1995.
Jensen’s death encouraged Mayor de Blasio to quickly commit $40 million for a redesign of the roadway, which is great, but also long overdue.
And it made our national treasure cartoonist remember all the other deadly roadways — depicted above as monsters — that are long overdue for the kind of makeover that will soon tame the McGuinness monster.
All of Bill Roundy’s cartoons are archived here.
This piece was the work of the Streetsblog staff.
Read More:
More from Streetsblog New York City
March (Parking) Madness Finals: Who Will Roll The Rock?
Which Staten Island precinct has the worst parking? Find out in this year's March (Parking) Madness final.
April 6, 2026
Monday’s Headlines: Citi Bike’s New Feature Edition
A Citi Bike mystery solved. Plus other news (including on car insurance).
April 6, 2026
State Bill Would Stop Highway Expansions Near Vulnerable New Yorkers
Assembly Member Emerita Torres's Stop Highway Community Harm Act would ban the state from expanding highways within 200 feet of public housing or in ZIP codes with the highest asthma-related emergency room visits in the state.
April 3, 2026
Study: How Capping Vehicle Sizes Could Help Save the World
...and why a multi-pronged transportation reform strategy is critical to curb climate change, slash road deaths, and more.
April 3, 2026
Friday’s Headlines: Margin For Terror Edition
The trendline for carnage is going the right way. But it ain't zero. Plus other news.
April 3, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.