JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – In an effort to help with pedestrian safety, the Jamestown Public School’s applied and received a grant to assist with their efforts.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the district was awarded $290,000 that will be used for two middle school crossing bumps along 2nd Avenue Southeast and a recessed drop-off and pick-up lane with a corner bump out on 3rd Street SE.

“Mr. [Ryan] Harty, Travis Dillman, Ben Aaseth, and I have been working through the design phase of the Safe Routes to School grant for the safety upgrades at the Middle School,” Superintendent Dr. Rob Lech reports.

“We are diligently working to ensure that the upgrades provide the safest possible thoroughfare for school, but with the additional plans to improve sightlines for drivers and create a more efficient and safer dropoff and pickup plan.”

The project would include some bump-outs on 2nd, a mid-street crosswalk refuge, drop-off lane on the southside, moving the bike rack, and additional sidewalks.

Lech pointed out that one of the areas currently being worked on includes the signage updates across the school district.

“One area of concern that has been discussed with the City of Jamestown previously is the inconsistent signage around of schools,” Dr. Lech pointed out.

“The Safe Routes to School Grant will provide updated and consistent signage at all school facilities. Our school principals have been engaged in the planning stages to provide the best possible feedback on the type and locations of signs to ensure the highest levels of safety for our students on their walks to and from school.”

The $595,000 project includes the grant award and the school district’s portion will come from a mill assessment. The city of Jamestown will pay 25% of the $305,000 local share.

Work on the project could start by the summer of 2020.