SOMERS, N.Y. - A Somers resident’s frustration after years of witnessing crashes at the intersection of Route 118 and Overhill Road has turned into a community effort calling for safety improvements.
Anna Klecha, who has lived near the intersection for 17 years, launched an online petition requesting that state and local officials conduct a comprehensive safety review and consider improvements at the location. The petition had collected more than 350 signatures as of this week, with Klecha planning to distribute flyers with a QR code at local businesses to encourage additional residents to participate.
“I have witnessed a lot of accidents, including fatal ones,” Klecha said. “In the past two months, I think there were three or four accidents, so it seems like it’s just increasing. The last one was on Monday.”
While Klecha said damage to her own property from crashes is frustrating, she emphasized that her primary concern is the safety of drivers, passengers, and others who use the intersection.
“My property is being damaged, but that’s a secondary issue,” she said. “I just can’t look at those hurt people anymore because every single time it’s like that. My concern is basically hurt people because it’s so avoidable.”
The intersection, located on Route 118 near the Shenorock neighborhood, has long been a source of concern for some residents. Klecha said drivers attempting to turn onto Route 118 from Overhill Road face challenges due to traffic speeds, visibility issues, and limited opportunities to safely enter the roadway.
“When people come out from Shenorock, the left turn is basically impossible because there are too many obstacles for them to be able to see oncoming traffic,” she said. “When I cross that street, I’m basically praying. I’m sitting at the window and just moving up little by little.”
The speed limit on Route 118 in the area is 40 mph, according to Klecha, but she said many vehicles appear to be traveling faster, increasing the danger for motorists entering the roadway.
As a mother of teenagers, Klecha said she is especially concerned about younger drivers who may not yet have the experience to navigate the intersection safely.
“Lately, a lot of teenagers are having accidents here,” she said. “They might be good drivers, but they don’t have the experience yet, and for them to take that risk is just too much.”
The petition is addressed to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation, the Town of Somers, the governor’s office, and state legislators representing Somers.
It calls for an updated traffic engineering study and roadway safety assessment, including a review of traffic volumes, turning movements, crash history, vehicle speeds, sight-distance conditions, and roadway design. It also asks officials to evaluate potential improvements such as a traffic signal, dedicated turn lanes, additional warning signage, improved pavement markings, lighting improvements, traffic-calming measures, and possible intersection redesigns.
Klecha said she began the petition about five weeks ago after another crash at the intersection convinced her that action was needed.
“I was just like, I’ve had enough,” she said. “Everybody is thinking, ‘Something has to be done,’ and I said, ‘It’s not going to happen on its own.’”
She then reached out to local officials and agencies for support. Klecha said she spoke with Somers Supervisor Rob Scorrano’s office, state Sen. Pete Harckham’s office, Assemblyman Matt Slater’s office, and others.
Klecha said she was encouraged by the response from local officials, noting that Scorrano’s office sent representatives the following day to inspect the area and address vegetation and visibility issues, despite Route 118 being a state road.
She also noted that Scorrano had previously requested a traffic signal at the intersection but that the request was denied by NYSDOT.
“Some people were commenting that the town should have already done this,” Klecha said. “But they don’t realize that this is a state road. The supervisor actually did take action, but he was denied.”
Klecha said she hopes the petition demonstrates that the concern is shared throughout the community and encourages NYSDOT to revisit the intersection.
“This is not just about infrastructure improvements,” the petition states. “It is a call for proactive action to protect public safety, improve traffic operations, and prevent future injuries and fatalities.”
The petition remains open for additional signatures before being submitted to officials.
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