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Commissioners open hearing to consider permanent school‑zone speed limit near Cedar Lake Elementary
Summary
Missoula County opened a public hearing March 5 to consider establishing a permanent 20 mph school zone on Pine Drive and School Lane near Cedar Lake Elementary; school officials described safety concerns and the second hearing is scheduled for April 9.
The Missoula Board of County Commissioners opened a public hearing March 5 to consider establishing a permanent 20 mph school‑zone speed limit and improved signage on Pine Drive and School Lane at Cedar Lake Elementary.
Eric Dixon, county engineer, presented photographs showing limited signage and described a request from school leadership, the school board and the Cedar Lake community council for a permanent school zone. He said current state law requires coordination between the local authority and the school district when establishing or altering school zones and that proposed signage would comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Christina Hartman, superintendent at Cedar Lake Elementary, told commissioners the school has experienced vehicle accidents near the campus, lacks safe walking areas for students when snow reduces walkable shoulders, and operates on an early bell schedule that places students on roads in darkness. Hartman asked for a permanent school zone to protect students and community users of the school playground.
Commissioners voted to open the hearing and scheduled a follow‑up meeting for April 9 to receive additional comment and consider adoption of a permanent 20 mph school zone and associated signing plans.
