‘It backs up all the traffic all the way down,’ Barrier blocks Woodlawn roadway
Neighbors say the barrier, positioned at East 233rd Street and Napier Avenue, completely blocks the right lane and forces drivers to merge abruptly — often with no warning.
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A Con Edison barrier that was left in the middle of a busy Woodlawn roadway is causing daily headaches for drivers, with residents saying it has sat untouched for about a month.
Neighbors say the barrier, positioned at East 233rd Street and Napier Avenue, completely blocks the right lane and forces drivers to merge abruptly — often with no warning.
“It backs up all the traffic all the way down,” one man said.
There are no signs alerting drivers to the obstruction, and neighbors say the situation has become both an eyesore and a safety concern.
“It’s strange that it’s been there for that long,” another resident said. “That has been there too long.”
Residents say the midday slowdown is mild compared with rush hour, when constant honking and larger vehicles struggle to get through.
One man recalled attempting to drive a U-Haul through the narrowed passage: “It was not going to happen.”
On Thursday, a Con Edison truck and a city Department of Transportation vehicle were seen driving past the barrier, each maneuvering around the same obstruction.
“They just left it and abandoned it there. That’s not right,” a neighbor said. When asked if he’d seen crews return to do any work, he responded, “No, I haven’t.”
Residents say they simply want to know when the barrier — which they describe as a safety hazard — will be removed.
News 12 has reached out to Con Edison and the DOT for information on what work is being done and when the barrier is expected to be cleared.
Con Edison said it is sending crews to investigate the area.
