Chappaqua Crossing: Officials work to alleviate traffic on Route 117

CHAPPAQUA - Whole Foods’ Dec. 12 opening at Chappaqua Crossing is expected to draw plenty of holiday shoppers, so officials want to lessen the traffic impact at the nearby Route 117-Roaring Brook Road interchange.

A new left-turn lane from northbound Route 117 to Roaring Brook Road — one of the traffic improvements to be done by the developer of Chappaqua Crossing with the state — won’t be ready. Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein said the state only recently granted the developer the permit, so it doesn’t have enough time to complete it.

So, developer Summit Greenfield is submitting a proposal that includes a temporary solution. It would widen the northbound Route 117 approach to the intersection with Roaring Brook to let cars get past those waiting to turn left, according to spokesman Geoff Thompson. The idea is to widen pavement to the right on the northbound side and to shift lane stripes. It would be in place while a permanent left-turn lane is now expected to be completed in the spring.

Chappaqua Crossing is just north of the intersection.

The proposal comes after town officials urged something be done to allow traffic to get past left turners ahead of the supermarket's opening. They are concerned about traffic drawn to the new shopping center and exacerbated by the construction on the intersection.

Meanwhile, the developer expects to complete a permanent right-turn lane on southbound Route 117 by Dec. 12 that will improve traffic from the current conditions there, according to the developer's traffic consultant.

In addition, under the proposal being submitted to the town, several signs would be posted letting drivers know there's a new traffic pattern. And police officers would be stationed to help with traffic during busy times on Dec. 12 through Dec. 14.

Road improvements are a condition that Chappaqua Crossing, a mixed-use development at 480 N. Bedford Road, must meet for the various businesses to receive certificates of occupancy that allow them to open, Greenstein said. 

The developer is seeking a modification to the certificate to account for the change in the Route 117 left-turn lane.

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Turning left onto Roaring Brook Road can already pose problems, particularly during the late-afternoon and evening commute. Drivers often make the turn to get to the Saw Mill River Parkway.

There is a left-turn arrow, but Greenstein said that works for the first car or two in line. Then drivers wanting to continue straight on Route 117 get stuck behind other cars waiting to go left.

“There always should have been a left turn lane there,” Greenstein said, before there was a Chappaqua Crossing.

Town Board and Planning Board members stressed the importance of something to allow left turns during a recent joint meeting with Summit Development President Felix Charney and other Chappaqua Crossing representatives.

“The question I think everyone is asking is what kinds of mitigations can we put in there to help? " Town Board member Lisa Katz told those gathered.

The permanent northbound left turn lane could be worked on during the winter, weather permitting. Paving of it would be done in the spring because paving plants shut down in the winter.

Chappaqua Crossing is a redevelopment of the former 100-acre Reader’s Digest headquarters. Earlier this year, Chappaqua Crossing’s 64 apartments — affordable, workforce and market-rate units — opened in the renovated former headquarters building with its distinctive cupola.

Now, the retail component is starting to come on line, from a Whole Foods to a Life Time Athletic Chappaqua to a Pet Valu. About 87 percent of the shopping center has been leased, with leases under negotiation that will bring it to 95 percent, the Town and Planning Board members learned.