Potomac High parent asks board to prioritize new crosswalks, lighting and sidewalk in CIP

A Potomac High School parent and PTSO vice president asked the Prince William County School Board Jan. 8 to prioritize a three-phase pedestrian safety project in the division’s Capital Improvement Program.

Makiya Little said her son, who transferred to Potomac as a freshman, stepped off an unmarked sidewalk into the roadway on his first day because there is no continuous sidewalk or crosswalk at the school’s approach. Little said the community’s pedestrian-safety committee, working with the superintendent’s office and county staff, developed a three-phase plan: (1) add crosswalks and a new light head at the marquee entrance, (2) add enhanced flashing lighting along the path to the school, and (3) construct a sidewalk along Panther Pride Drive so students do not have to walk in the street.

Little told the board she has submitted phases 2 and 3 as CIP requests and asked that the board prioritize the project so work can begin no later than this summer. She said the PTSO and staff researched property ownership and that, with support from the superintendent and the county executive, they had identified the relevant property owners and next steps. Little said a new sidewalk could cost “around a quarter million” dollars.

Board members thanked Little for advocacy and several board members said they would push to include the project in CIP deliberations and to seek seed funding. The board did not vote on the project at the meeting.

Ending: Staff noted the project has been submitted to CIP and board members indicated they will consider it during the CIP meeting scheduled for Jan. 15.