The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) reports that they have completed a Safe Routes to School project at Green Lake Elementary School (2400 N 65th St).
In an effort to make walking and biking to and from the school safer and more accessible, SDOT installed an illuminated overhead crosswalk sign and repaired a sidewalk.
The crosswalk light has yet to be turned on, but will be soon. According to SDOT, the light still needs to be connected to the electrical grid by Seattle City Light.
Brian Dougherty, SDOT’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator, said in May that Green Lake Elementary School was chosen for improvements due to a variety of factors, including the proximity of the NE 65th St and Latona Ave NE business district, a history of collisions in the area, and the nearby location of arterial streets N 65th St and Woodlawn Ave NE.
Over the past four and a half years, the Safe Routes to School Program has made improvements at 23 schools across Seattle. It is anticipated that a more than 30 schools will eventually receive safety enhancements through the program.
The program is funded by Bridging the Gap, a $365 million levy passed by Seattle voters in 2006.
©Amy Duncan for My Green Lake | Seattle’s Green Lake Blog, 2011.