DOT has begun work on pedestrian improvements at Broadway, Dyckman Street, and Riverside Drive in Inwood.

With long crossings that required pedestrians to watch for drivers coming from different directions simultaneously, the five-legged intersection was the site of 128 crashes from 2010 to 2012, according to DOT. Last fall Community Board 12 endorsed a DOT plan for a mix of left turn bans, signalization changes, new signage, and enhancements to pedestrian space.

The project will shorten crossing distances and eliminate some conflicts between pedestrians and turning drivers. DOT didn’t say last year whether it would use concrete or paint, but from the looks of it will be extended with permanent materials.

Signs restricting left turns have been up for a couple of weeks now, and it seemed to me this afternoon that the wait time between walk cycles for pedestrians crossing Dyckman on the east side of the intersection, at least, was lessened considerably.

We’ll take another look at this project when it’s complete.