Safe Routes To Schools Audits For More Alexandria Schools Underway

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The second phase of Safe Routes to School audits are underway to evaluate walking and biking conditions around Alexandria City Public Schools.

The first phase of audits were completed in 2017, covering 13 ACPS elementary and K-8 schools. The City of Alexandria is in the midst of implementing 250 safety recommendations around schools. Over half of the 250 recommendations have been completed or are in progress.

A few examples of completed projects include the Commonwealth Avenue Complete Streets Project near Naomi Brooks Elementary, bicycle lanes near George Mason Elementary, Douglas MacArthur Elementary and Mount Vernon Community School, and flashing school zone signs citywide.

This second phase will cover Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School, George Washington Middle School, Francis C. Hammond Middle School and Alexandria City High School's King Street and Minnie Howard campuses. The City of Alexandria is seeking public feedback on walking and biking conditions around the five school campuses.

Public feedback is the second step in the audit process. The city first worked with ACPS to collect and map data on current conditions at the schools. After gathering public feedback, the next step will be the audits to observe conditions at each school. According to the city, walk audits are typically done during student arrival or dismissal to assess sidewalks, crosswalks, signs, and behavior of students, parents and commuters.

A survey is available through April 2 in English, Amharic, Arabic or Spanish.

A report on the audits will be prepared with recommended safety improvements near the schools.

More information on Safe Routes to School is available on the city's website.