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Parents, residents urge action on 'safe walking route' to South Hills Middle; city says bus/overpass planning underway
Summary
Multiple parents and residents told the council walking routes to South Hills Middle School are unsafe, citing a 2.3-mile route with 12 intersections (five multi-lane) and missing sidewalks; speakers asked the city to restore a promised school bus or provide interim safety measures while a planned pedestrian overpass is advanced.
Several Westside Riverton residents raised safety concerns in the Sept. 16 public comment period about the city-designated "safe walking route" to South Hills Middle School, saying it is too long and lacks sidewalks and crossing protection.
Speakers described the route as more than 2 miles (approximately 2.3 miles) with about 12 roadway crossings, five of which are multi-lane intersections. Shamay Sabin told the council that students walking the designated route must cross busy roads with limited crossing guards and long stretches without sidewalks. Lacey Croft and Mary Ann Birch, among others, asked the city to provide a school bus for their neighborhood or other interim safety measures until the planned pedestrian overpass over 134 (referenced by staff) is completed.
Staff response and background: City staff acknowledged prior commitments and said the city has been working toward pedestrian improvements and an overpass. Lethbridge and city staff said the city has identified funding and a county partner had allocated $2 million toward a pedestrian overpass over 134 (staff said the overpass will take time to plan and build), but that the overpass will not immediately solve walking-route concerns for the current school year. Staff said they will meet with parents and pursue bus and other interim options. Mayor Staggs said safety is a top priority and that staff will follow up.
Next steps: staff said they will report back with answers and potential interim mitigation (bus service, crossing guards, temporary sidewalks or signage) at an upcoming executive staff meeting and via follow-up conversations with concerned residents. No formal policy change or funding vote occurred at the meeting.
