It was back in May, prior to the start of the school year, when former Bridgeport City Manger Kim Haws told members of Council that staff was working on a school safety issue. As it turns out, staff is still working on the issue.

 

During that May Council meeting, Haws told the governing body the city was working with the Harrison County Board of Education to address the concern of students walking from Woodside Heights to get to Johnson Elementary School or any other school along Johnson Avenue.

 

Most recently, the issue was brought up again. This time, Community Development Director Andrea Kerr brought the matter up at the most recent session of the Bridgeport Development Authority. At the time, she informed the Authority is was a project that was looking to be addressed sooner rather than later.

 

The issue?

 

“It’s really become an issue back in forefront since the city put the new sidewalk running from Hall Street down Johnson Avenue past the schools. The sidewalk coming down Johnson Avenue has railings and it’s not conducive for pedestrians or students to get over there from Woodside Heights for the purpose of going back across the road to get to the schools,” said Kerr.

 

Currently, those leaving Woodside Heights where it intersects near the new Johnson Elementary walk on the gravel berm of the road and – in most cases – behind a guardrail. The solution, said Kerr, doesn’t seem to difficult.

 

“We believe a sidewalk coming down from Woodside Heights would alleviate the pedestrian issue there at the bottom entrance to Woodside Heights,” said Kerr. “We would like to continue to work with the Board of Education to come up with a solution suitable for everyone’s needs with the safety of the students being the top priority.”

 

As for the design, Kerr said it’s not set in stone. She said the city believes the safest alternative is to start at the entrance of Woodside Heights, bring the sidewalk down and behind the guardrail and eventually dead end near the first entrance to the school.

 

“We’re confident this will be completed in some manner because the city has a good working relationship with the board of education and look forward to this being finalized soon,” said Kerr. “The issue in that area isn’t just exclusive to the new school.”

 

Kerr said the matter was an issue when the old Johnson Elementary School was in place as well as the other schools situated along Johnson Avenue. She said former Bridgeport City Council member Diana Marra was a proponent of the issue.

 

“I think when the decision was made to build the new school it was pushed back. Now we have the new school and the same issue,” said Kerr. “The only thing that’s changed is the school is closer to Woodside Heights so a new sidewalk wouldn’t be nearly as large a project.”

 

For those wondering why the city just doesn’t put in a new sidewalk, there’s a good reason. She said, in reality, there are two.

 

“It’s school property we have to deal with and you’re also looking to do work on property under the jurisdiction of the West Virginia Division of Highways,” said Kerr. “The good new is that we’re willing to work with the DOH, and we have a good working relationship with them.

 

“The important thing is to get this moving ahead,” she continued. “I feel comfortable in saying all parties have the safety of the students as their main interest, which is why it needs addressed.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows City Engineer Beth Fox, left, with Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr looking at an area where a sidewalk may aventually go. Bottom photo shows how students cross off of Woodside Heights behind a guardrail to get to school.