District, City on Path to Make School Routes Safer

In April, the city learned the Ohio Department of Transportation granted the city and school district as part of the Safer Routes to School program.

"There is no matching money from the city or schools ... it is entirely free money to us from the federal government via ODOT," said Stow City Council VP Sara Drew. "It's a fantastic way for communities to embark on these projects without having to give up matching funds."

In general, improvements to be made are: infrastructure; sidewalk; increasing accessibility to schools; safety; new striping and signage; extending sidewalks and moving access points across the road.

During the last August meeting, Drew and Assistant Planning Director Rob Kurtz gave a presentation to the board about what the updates will be.

The program focuses on five E's:

1. Engineering
2. Education
3. Enforcement
4. Encouragement
5. Evaluation

"The whole idea of the program is if children walk and bike to school, as a commuity want them to do so in a safe manner," said Drew. "We want safe sidewalks, signalization, signs and to provide educational tools to be aware of danger. Health initatiaves include awareness of childhood obesity and to help alleviate traffic congestion and pollution around schools."

Here are a list of changes potentially coming to and around the district's elementary schools:

• : Speed monitors, crosswalk improvements and sidewalks will be connected. Kurtz said there are some missing links of sidewalk, especially around June Avenue and Fishcreek and Call Roads.
• /: More sidewalks and crosswalk improvements and a speed monitor. (A speed monitor is currently up at those buildings now.) Northview and Rose Roads will get sidewalks connected.
• : Sidewalk and crosswalk improvements. A man-made path behind the school will be paved. Kurtz said this was one of the easier projects because some aspalt work is the only thing needed at this building. 
• : A speed monitor and enhanced crosswalk markings for the crossing from Arndale Drive to the school (across Stow Road).

He said the speed monitors are not video or picture devices and will not be used to issue traffic tickets. 

"It just makes drivers aware of how fast they are going through a school zone," he said. "It's safer for kids to make drivers aware of where school zones are and how fast they are traveling."

Right now, Drew said she, Kurtz, Superintendent Russ Jones and Fire Safety Educator Sandy Ray are in talks with ODOT and doing field checks where the improvements will be made. The next step is finding an engineering company to do the work. 

Construction is expected to begin in 2012.