Assemblyman Smullen demands DOT acts on State Route 7

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Assemblymember Robert Smullen held a press conference at the Capitol in response to the recent fatal motorcycle crash on State Route 7 in Niskayuna. The same stretch of road in front of Bellevue Woman’s Center is where Angela Fisher-Reid and AJ Smullen, the assemblymember’s son, were pedestrians that got struck by vehicles and later died.

“The lack of traffic safety and traffic calming measures that have led to multiple deaths on this tragic road must begin immediately,” said Smullen. The Department of Transportation is responsible for the route. Smullen and his supporters want to see digital speed limit signs installed immediately.

“You’ve got more than 20,000 cars a day traveling on that section of Route 7 and more than 90% of them according to DOT are speeding every single day,” described Joseph Yakel, a Niskayuna resident.

The DOT sent the following statement:

Safety is always the top priority of The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). For the past several months, the Department has been engaged in productive discussions with local officials, law enforcement, and other community leaders about ways to enhance safety along the State Route 7 corridor in the Town of Niskayuna.

Although the roadway meets state and federal standards for safety, we understand that recent tragic incidents have raised concerns in the community. To address those concerns, the Department has conducted a thorough review of traffic conditions along the corridor and will be initiating a project to further enhance safety on State Route 7 from Mohegan Road to Union Avenue by installing a raised median and other traffic calming measures. The project is in the early design stages and further details – including specific design features and construction timetables – will be determined as the project progresses.

Additionally, NYSDOT will continue to engage and work with our local partners to explore the potential for additional enhancements to safeguard travelers along State Route 7. We all share the same goal – safety.

Michael Arthur, State Department of Transportation Region 1 Director.

“Let’s go ahead and let’s take action. But it’s very limited of what they’ve offered at this point. I think it’s just the beginning,” added Smullen. Officials at the press conference also demanded that the DOT hold town hall meetings with the community to listen to everyone’s concerns.