Trucks already blocking West 97th St.

There are problems with truck deliveries to the construction site on 97th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.

Community Board 7 is aware of the problem - but while the current situation can be fixed with better-trained "flagmen" to direct traffic, the situation can only get worse once construction is completed and Whole Foods and other trucks try to enter and leave the new development.

And the current problem occurred during the summer - without the usual 40 school buses and ambulances and Ryan Center van on 97th between Columbus & Amsterdam.

Neighbors have begun calling 311. One wrote:
___________________________________

I witnessed the first of what will be many incidents of a truck blocking 97th street. A 40 foot semi was trying to back into the loading dock of the 808 Columbus construction site across from the Ryan Center. It had backed onto 97th street going the wrong way. It tried to back into the dock and was totally blocking all lanes of traffic. It looks like it knocked down some branches from one of the trees in front of the Ryan center.

The driver left the truck and walked around for a while looking at the situation.

No cars could get onto 97th street and certainly no ambulance could get to the front of the Ryan Center.

Eventually the driver pulled the truck back onto 97th Street (going the wrong way) and left on Columbus Avenue.

I called 311 and filed a complaint which they said would be forwarded to the NYPD.

Service Request #: C1-1-417722559
Date Submitted: 08/05/08 11:43:00 AM

________________________________________