Village to install stop signs at Locust and Woodside

Warwick — It is a tough intersection anyway — limited sight distance and cars coming from three directions. Anticipating 29 new single-family homes in the proposed Village View Estates development nearby, the Village Board approved the installation of stop signs at the corners of Locust Street and Woodside Drive. Nearby residents had come to the village last year with concerns about the increase in traffic in the area as well as the current traffic issues. It seems that, as traffic increases in the village and wait times at key intersections increase, many motorists are using the “Woodside bypass,” a route taken through Crescent Avenue, Woodside Drive and Locust Street to cut out the Grand Street-Route 17A intersection. This is causing three residential streets to become a thoroughfare for commuters during morning and evening rush hours. The village will install the new stop signs, making this intersection a three-way stop, with traffic stopping on Locust in both directions, as well as those coming from Woodside. Currently, only Woodside traffic is stopped. Both Woodside and Locust are narrow roads. Village of Warwick Trustee Eileen Patterson said many residents have suggested they want a police officer at the intersection to monitor it after the new stop sign is installed. Warwick Police Officer Alton Morley agreed, but admitted this is a tough intersection. “The hill is tough to stop on, especially in winter,” said Morley. “When cars are stopped on the hill, others coming around have a blind spot so that could be a problem.” He suggested installing a flashing yellow light for traffic heading down Locust toward Route 17A/94, before getting to the stop sign. Robert Silber, owner of the 20 acres of land that makes up Village View Estates, will be making improvements in the area, including new curbing and sidewalks. It will be at least six weeks before the village receives state approval for the new stop signs.