Staten Island Road Widening Project Moves Forward

New York City officials plan to double the width of a street in Staten Island in a bid to reduce congestion, but mobility advocates say the plan will take away pedestrian space, make the street more dangerous for people with disabilities, and induce more traffic. 

As Kevin Duggan explains in Streetsblog NYC, “The $24-million reconstruction of Amboy Road, covering less than a half-mile between Richmond and Armstrong avenues in Eltingville, will double the street's width from 40 feet to 80 feet to expand it from one lane each way to two, according to Department of Transportation plans dating back a decade.”

According to NYCDOT, “The plans would not only widen Amboy Road, but also also install a raised median and enhanced pedestrian crossings at intersections, which officials say would create a ‘Town Center’ environment.” 

The project plan does not specify any improvements to transit along the corridor. “The project is being undertaken by DOT and the Department of Design and Construction, and it is set to start construction next spring. The DOT declined to respond to repeated questions about this project, but DDC spokesperson Ian Michaels said the project is still undergoing a final design.”