Brooks Elementary’s Safe Routes to School Project in Medford

Our partners at WalkMedford recently reported that the Medford City Council unanimously supported the ​Brooks Elementary School Safe Routes to School Safety Project. The project will bring enhanced safety for children walking and bicycling to the Brooks School from nearby neighborhoods, as well as improve the accessibility and safety for the thousands of other people who use High Street every day. Speeding cars pose a real threat to children as well as other pedestrians on High Street.

On May 12, the City Council approved 12 easements that will allow the project to move forward and that will entail removing several on-street parking spaces.  Studies by the state and city have shown that there is plenty of parking in the area at all times of day, and that all of the affected houses have ample driveways to accommodate resident cars.

The project includes: rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) at several pedestrian crossings; bump outs that will shorten crossing distances; accessible curb ramps and narrowed travel lanes; several new crosswalks; construction of a splitter island to reduce crossing distances; and, the installation of an uphill bike lane and downhill “sharrows” on High Street.

Congratulations Medford!