SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane City Council approved a nearly $1 million construction project in east Spokane on Monday night.
The contract will change multiple intersection around Stevens Elementary School in the Chief Garry Park neighborhood, with the aim of making it safer for kids to walk to and from school.
The most visible change will be at the intersection of Mission and Magnolia, where crews will put in an enhanced crosswalk, complete with flashing lights.
Many parents and staff are in support of the project.
Michaela Johnson is a parent and paraeducator at Stevens Elementary and said she worries a student might one day be hurt by the busy traffic outside the school.
“We need more crosswalks. We need lights. We need more crossing guards,” she said.
She said she has seen numerous close calls as kids walk across the busy streets.
Principal Adrian Espindola also expressed his safety concerns.
“From time to time, a driver is kind of unaware, or not paying attention. Thankfully, nothing has happened,” he said.
The idea for the project came about after the city asked Espindola how to improve safety for his students. Traffic was a major focus.
The plan details major changes for the school’s surrounding intersections, including cutting back for larger curbs and crosswalks, redesigning for ADA compliance and adding new, bright lights to intersections.
“It’s important we do what we can to make sure that we have the necessary improvements along the street and on the sidewalks to make sure the kids get to school as safely as they can,” said Espindola.
The project will begin later this year.
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