Safe Journeys to School
Background
It is a priority to create and encourage a safer road environment throughout St. Albert, particularly around areas where there are high numbers of vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists). A proactive approach to enhancing road design or better warning or informing road users of safe and reasonable behaviour will influence overall traffic safety and confidence in all modes of travel.
The Safe Journeys to School project provides a comprehensive review of various activities, infrastructure, and measures that address an overall community approach to school route safety.
City of St. Albert's Action Plan
The City's Action Plan involves work such as retrofitting existing school zone crosswalks, drop-off zones and bus bays, as well as school zone traffic calming and signage upgrades. These actions have been prioritized based on the Safe Journeys recommendations and were first anticipated for completion over approximately 7 years from 2015 to 2021; however, updated scheduling and detailed program planning proposes completion in 2024 of recommendations from the Safe Journeys report. The estimated total cost of completing the Safe Journeys to School strategies is $4.76 million.
The link below provides a summary of Safe Journeys strategies, by school site, and current progress:
Updated Safe Journeys to School Strategy Implementation
2020 Action Plan
In 2020, the City is targeting improvements at the Ronald Harvey school site on Langley Avenue. The City has developed improvements in following with the Safe Journeys to School recommended strategies; such as improving pedestrian access, crossings and drop off areas. These changes seek to mitigate the following issues:
- Congestion and accommodation for student drop off and pick up and vehicle maneuverability.
- Driver awareness and visibility of pedestrian crossings
- Limited connectivity and pedestrian accommodation
- Vehicle speed and driver response to yield to pedestrians at locations in vicinity to the school area.
The proposed improvements are highlighted in the following information and concept plan: Ronald Harvey School Site Improvements
Safe Journeys Feedback – Let Us Know
The City would like to hear resident’s comments on the Safe Journeys to School work being done and any further information on traffic safety or mobility through the community. Residents can leave comments and track the 2020 site locations by visiting this link.
Safe Journeys Report
In 2015, St. Albert City Council approved the Safe Journeys to School Final Consultant's Report, which includes numerous short, medium and long-term recommended strategies for the City, St. Albert schools, the RCMP and School Districts to consider to enhance the safety of students in and around school zones.
The report:
- Identifies the most effective engineering, education, enforcement and encouragement strategies to enhance student travel safety throughout the city;
- Showcases input from over 1,500 residents; and
- Offers recommendations and specific action plans to enhance traffic and student safety for all 27 existing schools and the new school site in St. Albert.
Safe Journeys to School Final Consultant's Report:
- Executive Summary (without appendix) - PDF (5MB)
- Appendix A-Z - PDF (21MB)
- Appendix AA to MM - PDF (9MB)
- Full Consultant Report - PDF (34MB)
Related Pages
Last edited: December 13, 2022