LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – As Lincoln students head back to class, the city of Lincoln is emphasizing the importance of safe routes.
At Irving Middle School, students arriving by foot or bike have a bit more navigating to do as construction barriers line what use to be the sidewalks leading up to one of their parking lots.
Rachel Frank is the mother of a 7th grader at Irving Middle School, and said the project worries her.
“My main concern is just with students coming to and from school, with the sidewalks on Van Dorn being closed,” said Frank.
“That causes safety issues when students might confront a sidewalk that’s closed and have to navigate and potentially try to go into the street,” she said.
Frank’s son, Elias, described his experience with the construction to Channel 8 on Monday by saying this.
“The first time I went on my bike, I went there and I didn’t know where to go because it was closed,” he said.
The city of Lincoln says the construction is part of a larger effort to make school routes safe.
Earlier this month, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Director Liz Elliot explained the city’s progress.
“Through the Safe Routes to School Initiative, our team works to incorporate school zone improvements into other planned street projects by coordinating project locations and construction schedules,” said Elliot.
“We can complete multiple improvements at the same time, saving taxpayer dollars and reducing the need for future construction in that area,” she said.
The city has already completed improvements in two school zones and put up new crosswalks, reduced speed limit signs and corner extensions to make crossing more visible.
Kathleen Ousey is also a parent at Irving Middle School and says the plans are understandable to her having previously participated in discussions around city planning and projects before.
“Fortunately, my kids do after school clubs and they walk home most days, so it’s been a lot of problem solving. I think that’s a good thing for kids too, if we are patient enough to navigate that,” said Ousey.
Elias Frank also sees the silver lining.
“Sidewalks are probably going to be way nicer, so it’s not as many bumps and cracks,” he said.
Updates to LTU projects can be accessed here.
back to school, irving middle school, Lincoln Construction, Lincoln transportation and utilities, Liz Elliot, LTU, parents, Safe routes to School initiative, sidewalk construction, Students, Van Dorn Street
