A state plan to narrow Boston Post Road from four lanes to three has sparked a petition with more than 1,400 signatures opposing the project.

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) proposal would reshape a stretch of US Route 1 from Dillon Road, near the Larchmont/New Rochelle border, to Hornidge Road between Rye and Mamaroneck. The $16 million project would reduce the road to one lane in each direction, add a continuous center turn lane and bike lanes on both sides, and set the speed limit at 30 mph across the entire stretch, the Rye Record reported Tuesday, Sept. 29.

What it means for Rye

Two Rye-area intersections would be affected. The plan calls for changes at Boston Post Road and Route 127, and at Boston Post Road and Greenhaven Road. Options include adding traffic signals with vegetated buffer space or installing roundabouts at both locations, according to the Rye Record.

The NYSDOT project page also lists resurfacing of Route 1 from Alden Avenue to the City of Rye, with drainage and pedestrian improvements as funding allows. The project is federally and state funded, with no local cost share.

Opposition mounts

A Change.org petition titled "Save The Boston Post Road," started Aug. 26 by Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home in Mamaroneck, had gathered 1,456 signatures as of Sept. 29. The petition warns the changes would burden travelers, increase local travel times and disrupt traffic on roads feeding into Boston Post Road.

Rye resident Jonathan Silvers has been vocal on Nextdoor about the proposal.

"The proposed redesign will create new problems that will affect virtually everyone who lives, works, shops, or travels along this corridor."

The Journal News reported Sept. 21 that the plan has sparked pushback from business owners in Larchmont and Mamaroneck.

Supporters cite safety

Not everyone opposes the project. Robert Wasp, the Town of Mamaroneck engineer, said in a June Larchmont Loop report that traffic data supports the "road diet" concept. Michael Smeets, a Larchmont native involved in the project, argued in June that existing congestion largely comes from cars waiting in traffic lanes to turn left, a problem the center turn lane would address.

NYSDOT presented the plan at an April 16 open house at Mamaroneck High School, where a 20-foot map of the proposed changes was on display. The Village of Larchmont is collecting resident surveys on which features to prioritize.

Timeline and next steps

Bids are expected in late 2027, with construction starting in early 2028, according to the Rye Record. NYSDOT lists the project as "In Development" with completion expected in fall 2029.

No Rye City officials have commented publicly on the proposal. NYSDOT referenced a fall open house for additional public input, but no date has been announced. Residents can contact Heather Pillsworth, NYSDOT Region 8 public information officer, at 845-431-7911.