In an effort to make the speed limits and regulations around the City’s six school zones easier to understand so that there’s less driver confusion and greater pedestrian safety, Milwaukie’s Street crews began switching out old school zone signs and posting new ones near Ardenwald Elementary School on August 1, 2011.
Crews expect to work through the Ardenwald school zone in about a month. In just that area alone, the City is installing 56 new signs, and relocating 16 others.
After Ardenwald, work will move to the Linwood and Lewelling areas, and by then by next spring, Hector Campbell. Rowe Middle School changes will occur with the current Lake Road Improvement Project, and the Downtown area is hoped to be completed by spring 2013.
The school zone signage is being adjusted to come into compliance with the most recent State of Oregon rules. Generally speaking, areas that are adjacent to school property are 20 MPH from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with no increase in fine amounts, while non-adjacent zones are either posted WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT or WHEN FLASHING and do include an increase in fines.
Milwaukie’s school zone update project has been modified after receiving input from the City’s Neighborhood Associations. In the Ardenwald Neighborhood, the City initially proposed removing the flashers on 32nd Avenue, but after discussions with the Neighborhood and further review, it was decided that the flashers would remain. Also, the City’s Engineering Department brought the plan to the City’s Public Safety Advisory Committee and received approval.
