Bike Lanes, Sidewalks, and Visible Crosswalks Enhance Student Safety

Bennett Engineering Services provided civil engineering services including grant application assistance, public outreach, preparation of construction documents, utility coordination, bidding and construction support for this Safe Routes to School project. The project provided a safe route for students, pedestrians and cyclists along Blue Oaks Drive, South Grove Street, and Race Track Road, by adding sidewalks, replacing curbs and gutters, addition of bike lanes, resurfacing the roadway for restriping and installing visible crosswalks at key locations.

For the funding acquisition phase, Bennett Engineering Services developed and prioritized site selection based on highest safety needs, including an assessment of infrastructure deficiencies and parent, police, and City input. The improvements were evaluated based on routes children use to walk or bike to school. The city partnered with the school district to conduct outreach meetings with stakeholders including principals and school staff, parent-teacher committees, participants from the disadvantaged community, and police. The largest concern was the lack of continuous sidewalks and curb ramps along roadways, as well as driver awareness before, during, and after school hours.

12413 funding | 12494 design