Seventeen years after it was first proposed, a long-anticipated reconstruction initiative in the Bronx is at last moving forward. The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) has awarded a $45 million contract to address safety issues on a hazardous stretch in West Farms, according to a notice in the City Record on Tuesday.
$45M Contract Approved to Overhaul High-Incident Intersection
Work will focus on the crossing of East 177th Street, Devoe Avenue, and East Tremont Avenue—a high-traffic intersection known for frequent crashes. The vicinity features a post office, four bus stops, a bus depot, several schools, plus critical access to Sheridan Boulevard and the Cross Bronx Expressway.
Since August 2011, NYC Crash Mapper data shows there have been at least 246 vehicle crashes in and around the intersection. These incidents injured 358 people and led to two fatalities. From March 2023 alone, 49 collisions and 81 injuries have been recorded.
It’s worth noting that crash data reporting has varied over the years, with earlier city records indicating there were four deaths in the area. This demonstrates the challenge of tracking long-term safety trends.
Extensive Enhancements Coming
Planned renovations include better stormwater drainage, repaved roadways, shorter crosswalks for pedestrians, new sidewalks and curbs, enhanced street lighting and signals, and upgrades to the water main system. The project also aims to close a gap in the Bronx River Greenway, completing a path for cyclists and pedestrians between Starlight Park and Bronx River Park.
Lead contractor DiFazio Industries, headquartered in Staten Island and fresh off a major project in Queens Village, is set to head the effort. Construction is set to begin later this year and will require about three years to finish.
“This is an incredibly complex project,” DDC spokesperson Ian Michaels noted, describing the effort to coordinate with multiple agencies and conduct environmental checks. “We are excited to make progress on this key corridor, which will make incredible pedestrian and vehicular safety improvements.”
Community Wants More Information
Despite the progress, local officials are still seeking greater transparency. Rafael Moure-Punnett, the district manager for Bronx Community Board 6, described communication with DDC as lacking.
“After 17 years of delays, the construction on the Tremont / Devoe / 177 St capital project is still yet to be initiated,” he shared with THE CITY in a written statement. “Questions raised by Community Board 6 about the scope and timeline of the project were never answered by DDC.”
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