Does It Say NO U TURN or TURN U NO - New Roosevelt Island Main Street Traffic Markings Confusing To Some Local Drivers

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) recently announced the long needed re-striping of Main Street. According to RIOC:

Re-striping Main Street Completed

On September 4, 2019, Main Street not only received new traffic striping, but also new STOP signs stenciled on the asphalt. These improvements will not only make our roadways safer for pedestrians, but also for drivers. Everyone, including bicyclists, are expected to follow all traffic signs and commands from Public Safety Department (PSD) personnel.

RIOC also stenciled signage to indicate that No U Turns are allowed.

But as one Roosevelt Island Driver shows us with this picture, is the No U Turn street marking clear?

Turn
U
No

Am I the only one that sees a problem with this?

Here are a couple of other views of NO U Turn or Turn U NO Roosevelt Island Main Street markings?

What do you see - NO U TURN or TURN U NO?

Roosevelt Island Manhattan Park Luxury Building Lobby Renovation Creating Unsafe Conditions For Pedestrian, Wheelchair And Vehicle Access To Street And Sidewalk Area - RIOC Instructs MP To Obtain RI Permit And Provide Safe Sidewalk And Street Passage

Roosevelt Island Manhattan Park luxury apartment building at 40 River Road is currently undergoing lobby renovations, similar to those previously done at 30 River Road. But, as reported by the Roosevelt Island Daily, the construction activities have created unsafe conditions for  pedestrian, wheelchair and vehicle access to the street and sidewalk area.

Images from Roosevelt Island Daily

Yesterday, a Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) spokesperson addressed the issue raised by Roosevelt Island Daily:

PSD’s Acting Chief Kevin Brown met with Manhattan Park yesterday. At his insistence, Manhattan Park will immediately construct an ADA complaint ramp and will set up additional barriers for a proper pedestrian walkway. PSD will also issue a permit once it receives a detailed scope of work, information about the duration of the project, Manhattan Park’s safety plan and hours of operation.

I asked:

Is the Manhattan Park construction shut down until they comply?

The RIOC spokesperson replied:

They’ve been allowed to continue work since they made emergency adjustments at Acting Chief Brown’s insistence. RIOC staff is meeting with them again today to get further details on the scope of work so they can determine what adjustments are required to comply with our permitting process.

In response to my inquiry yesterday asking Manhattan Park management:

Any comment from Manhattan Park regarding the construction at 40 River Road blocking pedestrian, wheelchair and vehicle access.

I understand that after receiving complaints, RIOC is instructing Manhattan Park to construct a ADA accessible ramp and proper pedestrian access to the 40 River Road construction area.

Is the construction shut down until Manhattan Park complies with RIOC's instructions?...

A Manhattan Park Spokesperson replied:

We’ve enjoyed a great working relationship with RIOC for the last 30 years and have been in close touch with them about the project at 40 River Road. The project will continue to comply with all applicable rules and regulations and we look forward to finishing construction during the fall.

... We are complying with all of RIOCs requests with regards to the construction work and sidewalks. As you know from RIOC we’ve installed a new ramp, etc.

Regarding the issue of doing work without a permit, again we’ve complied with RIOC and kept them informed since the start of this project. We have a DOB permit and will work with RIOC to acquire whatever additional permits we need to.

Today, the area around 40 River Road construction site looked like this.

The RIOC spokesperson added today:

The work that is currently going on at Manhattan Park concerns the renovation of the building’s lobby. The project will be completed in late October and the sidewalk will be completely open to the public at that time. After a meeting with RIOC staff and members of PSD, the building manager has been informed that he must apply for a permit to continue work. PSD also informed the building manager that he must post appropriate signage and allow for proper access that is ADA compliant and provides citizens with safe passage into the roadway where sidewalk access is impeded by work.

PSD and RIOC staff also informed Manhattan Park that they must order additional barricades so that the barricades start at the end of the sidewalk. RIOC has also ordered them to install additional lighting on the barricades, which should be in place today or tomorrow.

For the benefit and safety of our residents and stakeholders, RIOC has installed additional lighting to make sure the sidewalk is well lit. These lights are aimed at the sidewalk, not into the construction area and not into the homes in the area. They aim down at the sidewalk only. It is our hope that Manhattan Park will provide sufficient lighting on the sidewalk for its residents.

And:

Update: as of one minute ago, Manhattan Park filed a permit for the work. It’s going through the internal review process starting this afternoon.

Incidentally,the 30 River Road lobby renovations look terrific. Hopefully, the 40 River Road lobby will look as good.

UPDATE 7:20 PM - A resident is happy to learn of the safety improvements.

Oh my goodness, just the other night we were walking passed this (at midnight) it was pitch black and my stroller (with my sleeping toddler) got stuck and I nearly flipped over my stroller. Scary moment. It was NOT safe at all. Good
Thing it's being fixed https://t.co/K8fMk3Yk3N

— mrs (@itsElizaRo) August 14, 2019

Resident Asks RIOC To Paint Long Neglected Roosevelt Island Main Street Crosswalks To Improve Pedestrian Safety - RIOC Says We Hear You Loud And Clear, Will Begin Crosswalk Repairs Today

A long time Roosevelt Island resident shares this message sent last Thursday to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Presient Susan Rosenthal:

Cannot believe RIOC or NYS or whomever still hasn't gotten the Crosswalk by the Chapel or the other Crosswalks between 625 & 501 Main Street painted, nor the double-yellow stripe down the middle of Main Street restored either.

Pedestrians crossing at the Chapel / 540 Breezeway continue to be at extremely high risk for getting hit by all types of vehicles -- from regular or motorized bikes to cars to trucks to busses -- even with a slight increase in PSD presence at certain times of the day.

Last Saturday even with pedestrians of all ages & abilities right in the Crosswalk, drivers could hardly come to a full stop to let folks cross, especially between 10 am & 1pm. The PSD was called an asked to send a PSO over, which they did for a while.

Thank you in advance addressing this of as soon as possible.

On Friday, a RIOC spokesperson announced:

Crosswalk Repairs Take Place Monday, August 5th

The community spoke and we heard you loud and clear!

As part of RIOC’s ongoing commitment to the safety of our residents, RIOC contractors will be repainting the Main Street crosswalks from the Blackwell House turn-around to 40 River Road on Monday, August 5th. This work will take place during daylight hours. Traffic control measures will be implemented throughout the day so work can take place.

Please note that lane re-striping is also a priority, but will take place in the near future.

Another resident asks:

Are they going to make sure there are not any conflicting stop/yield signs?

— Scott Holleman (@scott_holleman) August 5, 2019

More reactions from Roosevelt Island residents:

• " why? people just cross wherever they want anyway."
• " We need more speed bumps."
• " Bikes and cars barely stop!"

RIRA Island Services Committee Reports On Roosevelt Island Transportation Advisories, Road Striping, Motorgate Upgrades, New Tram Elevators, Tram Platform Renovation, Seawall Railings, Blackwell House, Holiday Decorations, Signage & More

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Island Services Committee (ISC) Chair Aaron Hamburger reported to the December 6 Common Council meeting complimenting the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) on improvements to their transportation advisory messages. Mr Hamburger also gave his time estimation of Roosevelt Island Tram elevator construction being completed in 2019, later than RIOC's estimate of late 2018.



Below is the written ISC Committee

  Image From RIRA

report to the RIRA December 6 Common Council meeting: 

Sportspark – Susan Rosenthal requested that we postpone our desired meeting with Sportspark’s officials and staff until she and her staff can get up to speed on conditions at the facility. We were surprised to learn that Susan was totally unaware of the problems at Sportspark, which Susy’s reports have identified in 3 issues since 2015. We will try for a meeting in January.

Sportfields & Dog Runs – RIOC has begun renovating the Sports fields.We don’t know how long this important project will take. Meanwhile. Scott Piro is working with Mary Cunneen on the problems with the 2 dog runs.

Tram elevators & New Public Library – We are making both of these issues inactive until construction begins some time in 2018.

Holiday Decorations & RI Sign – ISC is against putting the RI sign in front of the Visitors Center at the Tram. Moreover, we thought that this sign was not needed. The proposed directional signs at the Tram and subway are what’s needed. As far as the holiday decorations, we stand by RIRA’s motion at the October CC meeting.

RIOC – Issues to address
- Metal railings on promenade need replacement. (see below on info. from RIOC’s Operations on 11/29/17 meeting).
- Debris , garbage and discarded playground equipment behind HAVC area needs to cleaned up or removed. Area attracts rats and is unsightly.

RIOC Operations meeting:

Tram platforms project is on schedule. Expect to be completed by year end.

Blackwell House - expect RI Historical Society can move into the house 10 months from now.

New Tram Elevators – Contract with contractor will be signed early next week. Construction will start in about 6 weeks. Before starting on installation, Contractor needs some time to complete design, purchase materials, etc. Project will be completed one year from now.

New Public Library – Construction will start summer, 2018. It is expected to be completed sometime in 2020.

Cabrini – Will complete renovation at 2nd floor, 504 Main by Xmas.

Promenade fencing – Will begin work at Southpoint Park and then move north for the replacements. Railing will comply with NY State building code. Opening at bottom will be 4 inches or less making it safe for children.

Preliminary design for a bike ramp to bridge is being worked on.

Roads - Painting new striping on road dividing lanes, crosswalks and the like have been completed for all roads. Lines are up to DOT standards. Old stripping will not be removed as they are expected to fade in time due to use of non-standard paint.

Motorgate – Discussions are underway on upgrades including removing pigeons from under roadway. Charging stations may be installed by Teslar for free.

Southtown dog run – Temporary run will be put north of building #7 near Blackwell playground. It will remain for about 3 year while buildings # 8 & 9 are built. Permanent location will be between these buildings probable at the east end of the Commons.

​Aaron Hamburger,  Chair – Island Services Committee