The Town of Clinton opened a brand new high school just over a year ago. But neighbors and parents said it’s dangerous without any sidewalks leading there, especially since the school sits on a very busy road.
“I’m waiting for something to happen and then maybe they’ll do something,” said Shirley Mikulski, who lives on Killingworth Turnpike, across the street from The Morgan School, Clinton’s high school.
She holds her breath every day when she look across the street and sees students walking without a sidewalk.
“I would think that would be one of the first things they would’ve done because you do see kids walking along here and traffic goes by quite fast,” Mikulski said.
Many neighbors said most drivers ignore the speed limit.
One high school parent who did not want to go on camera said at the old high school, down the road, her kids were able to walk to the library. She won’t let them anymore.
First Selectman Bruce Farmer said he’s heard several safety concerns, even before the school opened. But because of logistics with the state, the sidewalk could not be part of the original school project.
So the town voted for an infrastructure bond package in May. It includes putting up sidewalks from the old high school to the new one.
That will give students the ability to safely walk to the library, the Clinton Crossing outlets – where students work – and the center of town, said Public Works Director Peter Neff.
The town is now working on permitting through the Department of Transportation since Killingworth Turnpike, also known as Route 81, is a state road. The engineering and design work has already been done, Neff said.
Valentina DaCosta, who also lives on Killingworth Turnpike and runs her business, Captain Kitt’s Cat Boarding, from there said over the years there been three accidents outside her home.
“The fence, the whole panel had to be replaced once because a car hit it,” DaCosta said.
She voted for the sidewalk. She doesn’t feel safe walking her dog on the street and guarantees students feel the same way.
“There needs to be a safe space where kids can walk and feel comfortable without worrying about being hit by a car,” DaCosta said.
Neff said the town is hoping to have the project out to bid in late fall and start construction in early spring. Since the sidewalk will be in front of people’s homes, they are discussing the possibility of helping with privacy fencing or shrubbery.
For residents impacted by the sidewalk project, there will be a meeting with Public Works and the engineering company that designed the project on Wednesday in the Town Hall auditorium at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
The Town of Clinton opened a brand new high school just over a year ago. But neighbors and parents said it’s dangerous without any sidewalks leading there, especially since the school sits on a very busy road.
“I’m waiting for something to happen and then maybe they’ll do something,” said Shirley Mikulski, who lives on Killingworth Turnpike, across the street from The Morgan School, Clinton’s high school.
She holds her breath every day when she look across the street and sees students walking without a sidewalk.
“I would think that would be one of the first things they would’ve done because you do see kids walking along here and traffic goes by quite fast,” Mikulski said.
Many neighbors said most drivers ignore the speed limit.
One high school parent who did not want to go on camera said at the old high school, down the road, her kids were able to walk to the library. She won’t let them anymore.
First Selectman Bruce Farmer said he’s heard several safety concerns, even before the school opened. But because of logistics with the state, the sidewalk could not be part of the original school project.
So the town voted for an infrastructure bond package in May. It includes putting up sidewalks from the old high school to the new one.
That will give students the ability to safely walk to the library, the Clinton Crossing outlets – where students work – and the center of town, said Public Works Director Peter Neff.
The town is now working on permitting through the Department of Transportation since Killingworth Turnpike, also known as Route 81, is a state road. The engineering and design work has already been done, Neff said.
Valentina DaCosta, who also lives on Killingworth Turnpike and runs her business, Captain Kitt’s Cat Boarding, from there said over the years there been three accidents outside her home.
“The fence, the whole panel had to be replaced once because a car hit it,” DaCosta said.
She voted for the sidewalk. She doesn’t feel safe walking her dog on the street and guarantees students feel the same way.
“There needs to be a safe space where kids can walk and feel comfortable without worrying about being hit by a car,” DaCosta said.
Neff said the town is hoping to have the project out to bid in late fall and start construction in early spring. Since the sidewalk will be in front of people’s homes, they are discussing the possibility of helping with privacy fencing or shrubbery.
For residents impacted by the sidewalk project, there will be a meeting with Public Works and the engineering company that designed the project on Wednesday in the Town Hall auditorium at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut