Polk County has made significant progress on the Safe Routes to School project, which aims to improve safety for children walking or biking to school. Last week, curbs were installed, paving began, and the contractor started work on swales and sidewalks. The project, funded through a Safe Routes to School grant, focuses on adding bicycle lanes and sidewalks along Hoffman Road and Gun Club Road, along with an enhanced pedestrian crossing at the Marigold Road and Gun Club Road intersection. These improvements are designed to provide a safer route for students traveling to schools in the area.
While this is a Polk County initiative, the city of Independence is directly impacted by the project. The city is also installing a left-hand turn lane for northbound traffic turning from Gun Club Road onto Hoffman Road. Construction, which began in June 2024, is on track for completion by the end of the month.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program, visit oregonsaferoutes.org.
