Arlington High School principal asks council to pursue roundabout, safer crossings at Crown Ridge entrance

Merily Herman, principal of Arlington High School, urged the Arlington City Council to pursue traffic‑safety changes at the single Crown Ridge Boulevard entrance that serves the high school, Pioneer Elementary and adjacent developments.

Herman said the shared single entrance produces lengthy backups during school start times and on event nights and asked the council to consider three measures: remove the traffic signals and install a roundabout, revisit safer crosswalk options for children crossing Highway 9, and paint curbs red to prohibit illegal parking along Crown Ridge Boulevard on game nights. “I’m asking 3 things to be considered. 1, remove the lights, create a roundabout… 2, improve safe crosswalk options… 3, paint the curb red to prohibit parking on game nights,” Herman said.

Herman told the council she wants the changes to improve student punctuality and pedestrian safety; she also referenced a Washington Supreme Court ruling affecting student placement after suspension or expulsion and asked for council assistance as “voices for our community.”

Council members and staff noted jurisdictional limits. A councilmember reminded the meeting that the roadway in question is a state highway and asked staff to make sure the principal understands which agency funds or authorizes changes. City staff member Paul said he has a meeting scheduled with the school district and will raise the points Herman made. “I actually have a meeting with Dr. Sweeney on [the issue], so I’ll bring some of these points up with her,” Paul said. Another councilmember clarified, “we don't pay for those roads,” stressing that state or other agencies may control funding and approvals.

The council did not take any formal action on Herman’s request at the meeting; staff said they would follow up with the district and clarify responsibilities for any proposed changes.