The City of New Rochelle is proud to present the concept plan for Phase One of the larger Pinebrook Boulevard Complete Streets project, a long-term initiative to create a safer, more accessible, and more resilient transportation corridor for all users.
Extending from Beechmont Drive to Forest Avenue, Phase One was selected to advance priority traffic safety and recreational goals while preserving the boulevard’s scenic and residential character. The project will maintain vehicular access while introducing a safer roadway alignment, improved pedestrian facilities, and the City’s first dedicated and marked bicycle lane within an existing roadway.
The concept plan also takes advantage of the unique setting around Beechmont Lake and the wide median approaching Forest Avenue. The existing lakeside walkway will be extended into a new pedestrian trail through and around the wooded area, supported by new crosswalks and improved connections to nearby recreational amenities.
Phase One will also introduce the City’s first green infrastructure elements within a Complete Streets project. Bioswales and rain gardens will be incorporated into the median to help capture, manage, and naturally filter stormwater runoff following heavy rainfall events.
Construction on Phase One is anticipated to begin later this year, marking the first major step in the broader transformation of Pinebrook Boulevard into a connected, multimodal Complete Streets corridor. That broader transformation has already received a $7.89 million grant through the New York State Department of Transportation’s Roadway Departure Safety Action Plan, which will fund additional safety improvements in subsequent phases of the project.
While known for its wide layout, scenic attributes, and residential character, the entire Pinebrook Boulevard corridor experiences safety challenges related to excessive vehicle speeds, minimal dedicated spaces for pedestrians and cyclists, and nonstandard roadway designs and street crossings.
The Phase One project plan is based on Complete Streets design guidelines, which have been widely recognized and adopted nationally in many other jurisdictions for improvements that promote greater safety and access for travelers of all ages and abilities, including those lesser abled.
Starting with Pinebrook Boulevard, the overall Complete Streets initiative builds upon New Rochelle’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability goals established in the GreeNR climate action plan and to citywide traffic safety measures identified in the recently enacted Local Safety Action Plan.
The concepts represented in the Phase One project reflect longtime work done by City staff, planners, and engineers, supported by recommendations from the Complete Streets Advisory Committee and ideas submitted by local residents.
The Phase One project achieves the important traffic safety and non-motorized mobility goals presented in the design plan through improvements within the existing Pinebrook Boulevard right-of-way and without any need for the acquisition of private property.
The City is funding the Phase One design and construction while actively pursuing funding opportunities through Federal, State, and County partners for future phases of Pinebrook Boulevard in building on our commitment to enhance traffic safety and to further the development of multimodal transportation infrastructure.
Utilize modern traffic calming mechanisms to encourage safer driving and reduced speeds through residential neighborhoods.
Reorganize the right-of-way with dedicated vehicular travel lanes, safety features, and clear pathways for cyclists and pedestrians.
Upgrade crosswalks and pedestrian walkways to meet or exceed ADA design guidelines and accessibility standards for all users.
Repave the aging roadway surface to improve ride quality and enhance safety in accord with the City’s Local Safety Action Plan.
Support multi-modal travel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as stated in the City’s GreeNR environmental sustainability goals.
Create the City’s first bioswale and other natural rainfall capture features to better manage stormwater runoff and flooding impacts.
Please review the slide presentation with descriptions of the new roadway safety features for Pinebrook Boulevard and images of planned improvements to the public recreational spaces between Beechmont Drive and Forest Avenue.
Download Here
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
You are welcome to submit your questions or comments via email at CompleteStreets@newrochelleny.gov or through the form below: