Safer School Streets Pilot Project at Arthur Hatton Elementary School
Dear Parents,
On April 25, 2023, I held a parent information session about the upcoming City of Kamloops and SD73 pilot project, Safer School Streets, from May 29 – June 9, 2023, including Bike-to-School week. In case you were not able to attend that evening, I am providing information in this newsletter about the project.
Safer School Streets - May 29 - June 9
What are we doing?
Dr. Smith, a well-known pediatrician in Kamloops, originally shared the idea of this pilot program with us based on the benefits of walking, biking, and rolling to school and how closing off streets to create a “traffic-free zone” near the school helps to make it safe for parents and students to choose to walk, bike, or roll to school instead of during to school. The “traffic-free zone”: the frontage of Schubert will be closed from Holly Avenue to Oak Road, as well as Chestnut Avenue.
When will this happen? |
7:45-8:45 am and 2:20-3:00 pm each day during May 29-June 9 is when the pilot is taking place. Update: As of Monday, June 5, 2023, they are making a small change based on feedback. To ease the pressure on drivers, the time of the road barriers will be from 2:20 pm instead of 2:00 pm every day starting on Monday, June 5, 2023. |
Who will be at the barricades and how can I get past them if I have to drive? |
City of Kamloops barricade attendants will be instructed to permit exempt vehicles such as residents leaving for work or school staff to enter the closed area, students, parents, or caregivers who are driving due to mobility issues or medical reasons, and these vehicles will be instructed to only drive at a walking pace. The City of Kamloops staff will contract road maintenance personnel to engage in setting up and taking down the street barricades daily along Shubert and Chestnut as indicated on the attached map. |
How will be Kick-off this pilot project? |
On May 29, 2023, from 1:00-1:30 pm, we will have a “kick off” event in the gym to share what Safer School Streets is about. |
Who will record and share the results of this pilot project? |
We will survey parents, students, and staff to consider the impact of this short pilot. |
Will Fortune Drive still be under construction? |
The City of Kamloops staff indicated construction activity along Fortune Drive is anticipated to have less traffic impact during the pilot period as the sanitary work is planned to be completed with only milling and paving work remaining. A crossing guard will be provided at Fortune Drive and Oak Road to support pedestrians while construction activities occur. |
City of Kamloops Funding |
The City of Kamloops committed funds from the Climate Action Levy. Costs agreed to by the City include signage, contracted road maintenance personnel, a crossing guard at Fortune and Oak and financial support for school incentives. |
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