STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — When asked, almost any Staten Island driver is able to rattle off a long list of parking lots they never want to have to navigate.
These are the lots that, even at the best of times, are maze-like — and everyone tries to avoid them, no matter the time of the day.
The Advance/SILive.com has often looked at the worst parking lots in the borough, and over the years, one lot in particular has been brought up time and time again.
The Trader Joe’s lot in New Springville has long been considered one of the worst on Staten Island, so much so that it has made several lists of the worst lots, according to readers.
Recently, a reporter returned to the lot to look at what causes the biggest issues.
Well, for one thing, it’s impossible for two vehicles to pass one another. Whenever a car backs out of a spot or double parks near the sidewalk, a line of cars forms while stuck waiting to pass.
The lot rife with narrow lanes and awkward turns.
Further contributing to the issue is the fact that Trader Joe’s has no space of its own — sharing a lot with a Bob’s Discount Furniture and Retro Fitness. As a result, the lot sees a high volume of cars on a regular basis.
Another problem is the traffic near the entrance/exit from Nome Avenue.
Drivers who make the illegal left turn from the lot typically get stuck at the Richmond Avenue and Nome Avenue light, often blocking both directions of traffic.
“The lot for Trader Joe is horrible on the Nome Avenue side. The major problem is drivers leaving the lot make an illegal left turn, causing a backup behind them while other traffic toward Richmond Avenue waits for the light,” a reader wrote, describing the situation to the Advance/SILive.com in 2022.
With the winter holidays fast approaching and all of those errands that stack up this time of year, is there a parking lot you’re dreading? If so, send your suggestions and thoughts to transportation reporter Mike Matteo at mmatteo@siadvance.com.