Changes to come to all Lincoln school zones

Drivers may want to slow down, the city announced changes are coming in school zones and it's for incoming traffic and pedestrians.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Drivers may want to slow down, the city announced changes are coming in school zones, and it’s for incoming traffic and pedestrians.

When you drive, walk, or bike into a school zone, you may notice some changes.

“Seems like a good idea since it’s a small street, and there’s so much traffic,” said Drue Daily, father of a Rousseau Elementary student.

Lincoln Transportation and Utilities announced changes are coming in school zones for incoming traffic and pedestrians, after speaking with citizens and conducting a study.

“Part of the safety factor is to make sure that drivers and the pedestrians alike know when they are in a school zone,” said LTU Director Elizabeth Elliot. “So, having consistent markings, whether its signage or crosswalk notifications, it was the driving force.”

Motorists can expect to see more signs, flashing beacons for crosswalks and ramps for bicyclists and pedestrians. Elliot says for drivers, the speed limit will go down.

“What these new standards suggest is that those should actually go down to 20 miles per hour,” said Elliot. “So, it will be five miles per hour slower once we do get these fully implemented.”
The first project sites will be Rousseau Elementary, Humann Elementary, and St. Peter Catholic School. Parents at Rousseau Elementary react to the news.

“My son’s been coming here since first grade, and there’s a lot of vehicles here and there’s a lot of kids going between vehicles,” said Deanna Chris, a mother. “I just think that the lower the speed, the safer it’s going to be. Most of the children get picked up on this street so I think it’s fabulous that they’re doing something about it.”

“Oh it’s not to bad,” said Drue Daily, a father. “It’s a little problematic just cause it’s a narrow street, and people park on this side, and people are still driving back and forth on the other side.”
Elliot says these changes will take time and it could take up to five years for all of the schools to have these updates.