Students adjust to new crosswalk on Edmonds

They came on bikes, scooters, skateboards and on foot Wednesday afternoon.

And they all made it across the new crosswalk at the intersection of North Edmonds and Desatoya drives.

The new crosswalk, in use for the first time, has Eagle Valley Middle School students walking approximately 400 feet farther north on Edmonds than from the crosswalk they previously used.

"We were pretty effective in getting the word out and having the kids realize we want them to cross at Desatoya," said Mike Mitchell, director of operations for the Carson City School District.

Prompting the change was a three-car pile-up Aug. 30 right near the old crosswalk. While no students were injured, it did terrify crossing guard Donna Mireles, who was in the crosswalk with students.

"They came right up to the crosswalk, but didn't cross over into in," she said.

The new crosswalk gives drivers more time to spot students who used to pop out from behind the hill and cross right over.

"It's better," said Luke Carter, 13, who uses a scooter to and from school. "All these kids on their bikes coming around the hill don't stop. They go right into the crosswalk. The cars can't see them in time."

Early Wednesday morning, a security guard stood watch at the old crosswalk, which is closer to the roundabout at Fifth Street and in a 35 mph zone. Come afternoon, the guard was gone and several students crossed at the old walk about 2:50 p.m.

"We're going to try and keep the (former crosswalk) manned for at least a week," Mitchell said. "We want to have a live body dissuading kids from crossing there."

A member of the road crew stood nearby the fresh concrete on the east side of the new crosswalk early afternoon and routed students around.

The curb modifications make the crosswalk accessible to wheelchairs - and will prevent bikes, skateboards and scooters from thunking off the curb onto the road.

There was only one footprint.

The new crosswalk brings farther south the 15 mph school zone established for Empire Elementary School students. New school zone signs indicating the drop in speed still need to be put up south of the crosswalk, a task Mitchell believes will be done by the city by the end of the week.

For bikers Casi Holmes, 13, and Nicole Hartley, 13, the new system means adjusting to pedestrians on their sidewalk.

"It's so different to have all the kids on this side," Casi said. "The bikers usually use the other side and the walkers use this side."

She thinks the old crosswalk should still be used, but that police should be posted there continuously to make the area safer.

"I don't think it really makes a difference (where the crosswalk is)," Nicole said. "They say it's in a 15 mph zone, but they still go 30. It's scary."

n Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.