HSD, COG work on plan to avoid danger along school kids’ walking
route
Hollister – Responding to concerns about pedestrian safety during the Highway 25 bypass construction, the Council of Governments and the Hollister School District are working on strategies to avoid dangers.
Representing the district teachers’ union, Jan Grist in late July addressed the Hollister School District Board of Trustees and contended Highway 25 construction had not adequately addressed pedestrians walking to nearby schools.
In response, the Council of Governments met with the district to work on providing alternate routes and other ways to alleviate pedestrian dangers.
“We met with them several times, and their concern was the same as ours, which is the safety of our children during this whole project,” Superintendent Ron Crates said.
COG worked to address the issues broached by Grist and the teachers association, Transportation Planning Manager Mary Dinkuhn said.
The sidewalks near the bypass will remain open as long as possible, Dinkuhn said. When they must be closed, temporary sidewalks will be put into place. There will also be rails put in to keep pedestrians farther away from the construction, Dinkuhn said.
In some places, there will be temporary crosswalks with crossing guards on duty, she said.
Attempting to mitigate traffic while parents are dropping their students off at school, Dinkuhn said that construction would be kept to a minimum during the hours of 7am and 9am.
While COG is working to ensure safety, Dinkuhn said educating the kids would be an important part of the process.
“On the school side of things, we’re hoping they can inform the parents and encourage the children to learn about safety around the equipment and construction,” Dinkuhn said. Crates said the district would send home fliers about construction safety.
For more information on safety and alternative routes during Highway 25 construction, go to www.highway25bypass.com.
Alice Joy covers education and health for the Free Lance. She can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 336 or at [email protected].
