At the West Linn City Council Work Session on November 4, 2024, discussions centered on enhancing safe routes to schools, highlighting the city's ongoing commitment to improving student safety and accessibility.

The council reviewed the progress of the Safe Routes to School initiative, which was bolstered by a $20 million general obligation bond passed by voters in 2018. Of this, $1 million was initially allocated for safe routes projects, with an additional $745,000 authorized in March 2022. Despite challenges in securing further funding from state grants—due to West Linn's relatively low incidence of bike and pedestrian accidents—the city remains proactive in pursuing opportunities for improvement.

A significant study conducted in partnership with the West Linn-Wilsonville School District identified 59 projects across six schools, totaling approximately $14.4 million. To date, four projects have been completed, with two more partially finished, utilizing about $1.2 million of the allocated funds. This leaves approximately $500,000 available for future projects.

Community input was also a key focus, with a survey of 30 parents at Trillium Elementary revealing that safety and connectivity are top priorities for safe routes. While the study did not specifically address ADA compliance, it emphasized the importance of accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

The council is set to discuss further plans for the remaining funds, aiming to enhance the safety and accessibility of routes for students in the area. As the city continues to prioritize these initiatives, the outcomes of these discussions could significantly impact the community's infrastructure and student safety in the coming years.