Erie scrambles to coordinate safe school access with CR 5 construction
Aug. 15—With the start of the school year just days away, the Town of Erie was scrambling to coordinate logistics for safe traffic and pedestrian routes along the County Road 5 construction route.
Town staff presented the Erie Board of Trustees with a County Road 5 Widening Project update at Tuesday's board meeting.
The construction project, managed by Colliers Hill Metropolitan District, was reorganized into a six-phase plan.
"We realize this is a really big project that affects many people. We also really understand how important safe and convenient access is to both Soaring Heights and Erie High School," said Town Administrator Malcolm Fleming. "We took this project very seriously. We've been doing advanced planning on it for more than a year."
Fleming said access to schools would be secured by the first day of classes, with contingencies in place for "safe and convenient" access via three entrances into both schools.
Town Engineer David Pasic said that 16 "no work days with good weather" and various unknowns, including supply chain issues and material shortages, created challenges in the project. However, Pasic added that efficiencies in the construction timing, in conjunction with the rephasing, cut the project timeline in half, and a "catastrophic" closure of a school entrance was averted.
Erie Police Commander Mike Haefele shared a Safe Routes plan, which included digital message boards and signage to convey detours. Assistance will be provided at crosswalks, and officers will direct traffic.
In a joint message with the St. Vrain Valley School District, the Town of Erie released the Safe Routes Map and recommended that commuters plan alternate routes through the beginning of September.
The financial responsibility and delayed installation of a traffic light at the intersection of Flora View Drive and the lack of contingency plans for a safe pedestrian crossing became at times a terse discussion between the Board of Trustees and the school board, represented by member Meosha Brooks.
"What's going to happen when we get the construction done and there's no light until November? What are we going to do from now until November to make sure that those kids that are crossing the street are going to be safe? Whose role and responsibility is that now?" asked Trustee Ari Harrison pointedly.
"Are we asking the district to ensure that they have put a light there for the safety of our students for something we didn't develop?" Brooks asked. "We are not responsible for public roads, which would include a light, am I correct?"
"The roads here in town, every single road, no matter if it's a developer creating it, if it's us doing it, it is our purview, it is our responsibility, and the town did at one time drop the ball," said Trustee Andrew Sawusch.
Mayor Justin Brooks stepped in to assuage the school district of any blame or responsibility.
Haefele assured both boards the police department would assign an additional school resource officer (SRO) to the intersection, if necessary.
"We will get an SRO out to that intersection until that light goes into place. We'll get them out there in the morning and we'll get them out there in the afternoon," Haefele said.
