Legislator Margaret Cunzio (C) Mount Pleasant, North Castle, Pleasantville, was joined by her legislative colleagues in approving $8.2 million in funding to undertake a complete rehabilitation of 2.17 miles of Columbus Avenue in Mount Pleasant. The funding package includes a previously approved Bond Act for the design of the project in the amount of $870,000.

Columbus Avenue is a four lane road that carries an average daily traffic count of 20,000 vehicles. The roadway received a pavement condition index rating of 71 in 2016 which means it “requires corrective rehabilitation to extend the life of the roadway”.

As stated in the Bond Act, the stretch of Columbus which runs from Lakeview Avenue to Nannyhagen Road will be completely repaved “including milling, joint and crack remediation, resurfacing, concrete curb replacement, installation of “Americans with Disabilities Act” compliant sidewalk ramps, new traffic loops, new pavement markings and related work as required.”

This section of Columbus Avenue is home to4 schools- Vallhalla Middle School and High Sxchool, Columbus Elementary School and EF Academy, a school for international students. At the northern end of Columbus Ave. is Rosehill Shopping Center, the site of Acme Supermarket, CVS Pharmacy, Chase Bank and various restaurants. Pedestrian traffic has increased significantly around the shopping center. There is no existing sidewalk in that area which has led to dangerous conditions for pedestrians, especially in the winter months when snow is piled along the roadway. This has forced pedestrians onto the shoulder of the 45 MPH speed limit road. In response to this situation, the rehab project will include building new 8” wide sidewalks extending from Columbus Elementary School to the Rosehill Shopping Center.

In addition to the new sidewalk, a permanent, well-lit bus shelter will be built at the site of the existing bus stop.

The Westchester County department of Public Works (DPW) will also consider minor alterations to traffic light patterns at the intersection of Lakeview and Columbus to more safely accommodate vehicles making a turn at that intersection.

Legislator Margaret Cunzio who is Chair of the Public Safety Committee has been urging the county to move forward with the work since taking office in 2015. “The County Department of Public Works engineers in consultation with the Town of Mount Pleasant have done a really wonderful job of designing this project. This section of Columbus Avenue is a critical artery for Mount Pleasant residents, students and businesses. This project will leave the roadway itself in excellent condition for decades to come. Equally important, this project makes the Columbus Avenue corridor safer and more inviting for pedestrians, students and people using the BeeLine Bus system.”