Red light or green light? Neighborhood split on new traffic light in Fordham
The light is near the entrance to an elementary school and replaces a three-way stop sign.
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A new traffic light at the corner of Briggs Avenue and E. 196th Street is drawing both praise and skepticism from people in the community.
"[The intersection has] just always been kind of confusing knowing when to cross, and I always feel a little unsafe," said Jade Weaver, a teacher at PS 469X, which is right next to the intersection.
But Kelsey Shuler, who also works there, said the light "Is not going to help at all, especially since people just drive at whatever speed they want."
The intersection is right where the staff does busing, and staff members tell News 12 that one of the schools in the building is specifically for special needs students.
"A lot of the students tend to get distracted, and want to run in the streets," said Weaver, who helps out getting kids on and off the buses.
While New York City data shows only two crashes and two injuries at the corner since the start of 2025, neighbors say the old configuration, with a three-way stop sign, had issues, with multiple telling News 12 how drivers would often just come to a rolling stop, and then zoom through.
"Traffic is crazy here," said Megan Luciano, who lives up the block. "Nobody cares that there's a school here."
Parents and teachers also say the intersection gets especially backed up right around school pick-up and drop-off times, and some say so far, the light looks like it is only making things worse.
"[It's] pretty terrible, man," said Edwin Mulero, who works nearby. "I ain't gonna lie, it's pretty - this morning, it was still bad."
"Especially with the construction going on, people are like, 'Well, I got to zoom on through,'" added Shuler. "It's terrifying."
Still, most staff members say the idea of a light is something that they have been talking about inside the school for a while. Some said they already feel safer, while teacher Caroline Jenkins said, "I believe it's perfect for the kids, and safety for everyone."
As for how the light actually got there, a source says a local resident requested it, and the city agreed.
