In the course of the week main as much as Christmas break, crews had been seen placing the ultimate touches on a model new mid-block crosswalk (with flashing beacons) on Wiregrass Faculty Rd., straight in entrance of Wiregrass Ranch Excessive (WRH), to the shock of each mother and father and workers, who had no thought it was coming, or who was even putting in it,….and it went up fast!
It was like a shock Christmas reward from a secret Santa had simply appeared on the faculty’s doorsteps, actually.
Originally of this 2024-25 faculty 12 months, WRH principal Robyn White had despatched an electronic mail out to folks about her issues with college students crossing mid-block, with the intention to get to the 7-Eleven on the opposite aspect of the street:
“We’d like your assist. I’ve seen within the [morning], however extra so within the afternoon, that college students are crossing the street in entrance of site visitors by the 7-Eleven. Please encourage your baby, if they’re a walker or bike rider, to make use of the crosswalk [at the signal] at Mansfield Blvd. The very last thing any of us needs to see is a scholar get hit by a automotive or a bus. They suppose they’re invincible and don’t hesitate to stroll in entrance of shifting autos and, as a mother or father, it’s scary for me to look at. I recognize your help as you focus on this security concern along with your youngsters.”
For the reason that 7-Eleven gasoline station opened in 2022, it’s been a very talked-about place for WRH college students to seize a drink or a snack, as it’s conveniently situated simply outdoors the varsity.
However, the gasoline station was on the alternative aspect of Wiregrass Faculty Rd. from the varsity, so college students would simply discover gaps within the faculty site visitors wherever they might, to cross wherever from the sidewalk leaving the varsity property. There was no “designated” place to cross, besides on the site visitors sign, which was about 350 toes out of the way in which, and youngsters are likely to take the shortest path attainable.
This new mid-block crosswalk is positioned completely to assist with the issue, offering a well-marked and well-lit consolidated crossing level, situated off the southern nook of the gasoline station, simply outdoors the entrance gate for the varsity.
The query on the minds of many residents and faculty directors was, “How did it get there?” White and different workers members stated they’d no thought, for the reason that new crosswalk was put in simply outdoors of the varsity’s property.
A eager eye would discover that the brand new sidewalk ramps for the crosswalk join with the brand new sidewalk that was simply laid across the property for the not too long ago constructed Bay Paws Pet Resort (blue constructing in picture). Mallory White, the brand new Wesley Chapel Bay Paws supervisor (who beforehand was on the Trinity location), defined that Bay Paws offered the brand new crosswalk.
“It was one thing that the county required, so our contractor labored with them on it over two weeks [to complete the crosswalk].”
White additionally stated that the crosswalk was one of many last steps within the Bay Paws website development allow necessities, so the pet boarding facility might obtain its Certificates of Occupancy (CO) to open, which she says she hopes might be by the point this difficulty reaches your mailbox.
Over the previous couple of years, Pasco County officers have been focusing much more on pedestrian security and connectivity, with efficient sidewalk networks, with all new development permits. This new crosswalk is provided with Speedy Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) that are activated by a push button on both aspect of the road, just like those not too long ago put in on Mansfield Blvd and on County Line Rd in Meadow Pointe.
There isn’t any button within the median as a result of the flashing sequence offers ample time to cross each side of the road. The push button makes a loud chirp when pressed to let the pedestrian know that the flashing beacons have been activated.
