Starting this month, the Transportation Department will be making changes to White Plains Road between Burke Avenue and Pelham Parkway. The DOT says it is trying to make this busy corridor safer.

On any given day on White Plains Road, there are cars double parked, bikes weaving between cars and pedestrians in the street. As a result, the DOT is building a protected bike lane, creating space between parking spots and the sidewalk and making more concrete bus islands where riders can wait for the bus.

Agency officials say that these changes will alter 41 parking spots but will calm traffic and more importantly save lives. The agency considers White Plains Road a priority because Vision Zero data shows more than five people are killed or badly injured per mile on this road between 2017 and 2021.

In a statement, the DOT said in part:

“Protected bike lanes make our streets safer for everyone and data shows that serious injuries and traffic fatalities have declined by 18 percent on average after implementing this treatment. We look forward to making these critical upgrades that will enhance safety for the many pedestrians and cyclists who use White Plains Road.”