RFB alert: Student crossing ahead
Woodland Middle School students cross at St. Michelle Drive using the new rapid flashing beacons Tuesday.
BILL BULEY/Press
COEUR d’ALENE — Many of Woodland Middle School’s students live in Coeur d’Alene Place, and that means when they walk to school and return home, they cross St. Michelle Drive.
There also happens to be a lot of traffic coming and going in that same area.
“This crosswalk is a high-traffic area, lots of cars and lots of kids,” said Principal Melisa LaPrath.
New rapid flashing beacons, or RFBs, recently installed will help them make their journey.
“It’s great to have these extra safety measures to help ensure they’re getting home and to school safely every day,” LaPrath said.
The city partnered with the Coeur d’Alene Sunrise Rotary Club on the $10,000 project, and many Rotarians were on hand for the first official RFB crossing Tuesday morning.
“This is something that supports kids, it’s good for the community,” said Club President Jeff Voeller. “Those are the projects we love to do.”
It was the fourth crosswalk beacon project that Sunrise Rotary has worked on to improve crosswalk safety in the Coeur d'Alene School District.
Once students push a button, they'll hear a beep and the lights will begin flashing, alerting drivers to stop.
The first three were on Harrison Avenue at Bryan Elementary, Pennsylvania Avenue at 21st Street for Fernan STEM Academy and LaCrosse Avenue just outside Winton Elementary School.
This latest one was funded by a $5,000 Rotary district grant. Donors included club members, Coeur d'Alene Tractor Company, John and Joanna Adams; Idaho Central Credit Union, Mountain West Bank, Magnuson McHugh Dougherty CPAs, Anderson Brothers CPAs (now Alpine Summit CPAs), Numerica Credit Union, Coeur d'Alene Cellars and Sid Smith.
The city installed the bases, poles and flashing beacons and will own and maintain the equipment.
“We look forward to doing more of these," said Todd Feusier, director of the city's streets and engineering department.
The city has about 20 RFBs, with many nearby schools.
Feusier said they are effective and do get drivers' attention, but he warned students not to presume drivers will see them and stop.
“Don’t just step off the curb. Wait a couple seconds,” he told students.
LaPrath was pleased.
“We really appreciate the Rotary Club and all the partnerships that make this possible,” she said.