EATONVILLE, Fla. – A year after approval, a project designed to improve safety for students walking near Hungerford Elementary School appears to be moving forward.
On Wednesday, Winter Park commissioners are expected to approve a nearly $717,000 contract to construct new sidewalks and safety features along several streets.
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The City of Winter Park has an inter-local agreement with Eatonville and Maitland.
The project is part of the Florida Department of Transportation “Safe Routes to School” program, which has a goal of increasing the number of children who walk or bicycle to school by funding projects that remove barriers preventing them from doing so.
The proposed improvements include the installation of 5 and 6-foot-wide sidewalks, driveway reconstruction, resurfacing and pavement markings.
Two rectangular rapid flashing beacons would also be added to a proposed crossing at Monroe Avenue and at the intersection of South College Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard.
Linda McKnight, who is a crossing guard in Eatonville, has known about the project since it was approved and is eager to see the work finally begin.
“For the schools and for pedestrians, we need it badly,” McKnight said. “It’ll be nice for them to come in and redo all the sidewalks and make it safer for the students and the pedestrians.”
Ron Upson lives in Eatonville and said he was injured after tripping over a crack in the sidewalk outside his home.
“They’ve been like that for several years. I’ve been hurt on them, several people have been hurt on them, and the kids, I feel sorry for them,” Upson said. “That’s the key thing, getting it done, and making sure these kids around here are safe.”
The sidewalk repairs and replacement would happen at the following roads:
- South side of Monroe Avenue in front of the Margaret Square Apartments
- North side of Fitzgerald Drive from Jonotey Drive to West Avenue
- West side of West Avenue from Fitzgerald Drive to Ruffel Street
- North side of Ruffel Street from West Avenue to South College Avenue
- East and West sides of South College Avenue from Ruffel Street to Kennedy Boulevard
Wednesday’s meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at 401 S. Park Ave.