What Bridgeport City Manager Kim Haws has called a school safety issue may soon see some attention. During Monday’s meeting of City Council, Haws said the plan is to get moving on the matter sooner rather than later.

 

“Staff is working with the Board of Education to create a sidewalk in (the area in) front of the guardrail coming down in front of Johnson Elementary School,” said Haws.

 

The area in question is on the side of Johnson Avenue where the school is located. It is in the section of roadway between the school and the entrance to Woodside Heights.

 

“We’re trying to create something that will address what we feel is a safety issue,” said Haws. “There’s no sidewalk in that area.”

 

The issue isn’t new. However, it’s likely become exasperated due to the new school building that is situated directly in that area.

“We’ve received a number of comments and had a number of discussions with community members regarding that area,” said Haws. “Many feel that in order to be safe they have to go cross country in front or behind the guardrail or cross the street to the sidewalk on the other side.

 

“That’s a terrible place to maneuver across traffic,” Haws continued. “We just felt it would be a good thing to tie into the sidewalk in front of Johnson Elementary on that side of the road and take it all the way to Woodside Heights.”

 

Although cutting through the grass is an option and walking directly on the dirt can be done, particularly in dry weather, rain creates issues in going that direction. Also, the area in front of the guardrail is gutted due to runoff.

 

While it may seem like a simple matter, there are hurdles to overcome. First is that a sidewalk in that area would require permission from the West Virginia Division of Highways. Johnson Avenue is a state, not city, roadway. Second is that there will be cost involved.

 

“The city would entertain participating in the matter, but we believe there are other partners needed here starting with state permission and state assistance,” said Haws. “We also believe we should have initial support from the Board of Education to make it safe for our students who are also their students. That’s the purpose of meeting with them to discuss the issue at hand.”

 

Haws added that if this proceeds it's unknown what direction a sidewalk would take to address the safety issue.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the area at the entrance to Woodside Heights to the entrance of Johnson Elementary. Second photo shows the rutted out area individuals have to walk across if they opt not to cross the roadway.