Parkhill School principal calls for traffic changes near the school, cites student safety

Parkhill School principal Kim Koop has sent a letter to the City of Steinbach council requesting traffic safety changes near the school in order to protect her students.

On April 27, council received a letter from Koop stating as the community around the school continues to grow, so too will traffic safety issues.

“The safety of our students is our highest priority. With a significant majority of students travelling to and from school on foot or by vehicle each day, it is essential that the surrounding infrastructure supports safe, predictable, and well-regulated traffic flow,” wrote Koop.

Parkhill School opened last September and has 340 students, of which 263 (or about 70 percent) walk to school or are driven to school by family members. The remaining 77 are bused.

Koop requested that the speed zone at the intersection of McKenzie Avenue and Parkland Drive be 30 km/h as currently it is 60 km/h; that a marked crosswalk or a four-way stop at the intersection be installed; installing overhead crosswalk lights; have sidewalks be built in the surrounding neighbourhoods so students can walk to school safely instead of on the road; and regular clearing of snow on sidewalks be conducted to ensure students don’t walk on the snowbanks or the road during the winter.

“The surrounding infrastructure does not consistently support safe pedestrian travel. In addition, ongoing development in the area has resulted in increased construction and commuter traffic,” she wrote.

Koop highlighted there have been multiple instances where cars have failed to stop at the McKenzie and Parkland crosswalk near the school even when there is a crossing guard present. She said the school has already contacted the RCMP about the matter.

Council referred the issue to administration. CAO Troy Warkentin said the city has already changed the traffic bylaw to address the speed zones around the school.

He said the speed limit along McKenzie Avenue is 60 km/h several blocks away from the school. When traffic hits Parkhill Drive from McKenzie up to the school site the speed is 50 km/h before slowing down to 30 km/h immediately adjacent to the school.

He also said a sidewalk was built from McKenzie Avenue to the school prior to the school’s opening.

Warkentin said Koop’s recommended changes will be reviewed during the spring and summer months before coming back to council.

“Those items (speed limits and sidewalks) were already addressed in recognition of the school opening being imminent, but beyond that, the requested items do ask for city council’s consideration for some further measures, but all of those items in that letter won’t be addressed for some time yet.”

Hanover School Division refused an interview but did offer a statement writing it appreciates council referring the matter to administration for review.

“We are confident that, working with the city and local RCMP, appropriate solutions will be identified.”