In evaluating Safe Routes to School projects and the need for additional sidewalks, staff had previously reported that the collective cost of installing needed sidewalks within a 1/2-mile radius of each elementary school within the City of Yakima, would exceed $80 million.
As a result of the significant cost, City Council directed staff to work closely with both the Yakima and West Valley School Districts to identify the recommended walking routes to each elementary school. From that information, staff was to further identify a suitable North/South and East/West route to each elementary school that coordinated closely with the recommended walking routes and determine the cost of sidewalk installation necessary along those routes. This reduced the cost to $5 million; making the objective of providing a safe route to each school more achievable. This information will be invaluable as the City applies for future Safe Routes to School grants and other funding opportunities.
Acting Chief Engineer Bob Desgrosellier will present a PowerPoint Presentation. |