The city of Columbia Falls and School District 6 are working together to provide “safe routes to schools” for elementary, junior high and high school students.

The first project of the safe routes to schools program is the new sidewalk on Fifth Street West from Nucleus Avenue to Fourth Avenue West. Fifth Street West will be the designated “safest route” to reach Glacier Gateway Elementary School.

The city will add pushbutton-activated flashing crosswalk signals at the intersections of Fourth and Fifth avenues and Nucleus Avenue. Pedestrians will be able to alert traffic that they’re ready to cross by pushing a button.

The school district and city encourage all Glacier Gateway students who live east of Nucleus Avenue to use the Fourth and Fifth avenue crossings and then use the sidewalk on the north side of Fifth Street to reach Glacier Gateway.

At the school crossing on Fifth Street, there will be flashing crossing signals to alert traffic to the presence of pedestrians and bicyclists.

At the beginning of the school year, School District 6 staff will assist Glacier Gateway, Ruder Elementary and junior high school students with the safest routes to each school. Each school will provide details at their open house for parents and at welcoming orientations with the students.

A large map showing the safe routes to each school will be displayed at each school and at City Hall. In addition to safe pedestrian and bicycle routes, the map will show the 15 mph school speed limit zones.

The Fifth Street sidewalk project is the first for Columbia Falls in the Safe Routes to Schools program. The city, school district, Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and business community are working together to provide improvements, such as the flashing crossing lights, throughout the area.

For more information or to participate, contact the city or a school principal.