Mercer Island School Board members have signed a letter urging the City Council to move forward with the roadwork scheduled and funded for 2017, to the intersection of 86th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 40th Street, adjacent to the new Northwood Elementary School.

As part of the public process and the city’s permitting regulations, the street frontage of Northwood along Southeast 40th Street has been designed and funded by the district to accommodate a westbound left turn lane. The district expects to have between 150 to 200 students per day walking to and from the new school. Safety remains a concern among district officials. The city is currently accepting public comments through April 30 for the 2017-2022 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). The current TIP includes a proposal for construction of a left turn lane off of Southeast 40th onto 86th Avenue Southeast to help alleviate the frequent backups in that area westbound. The project is scheduled for construction in 2017.

“The board is concerned for the safety of students and believes the city should be taking steps to create a safe intersection at 86th Avenue SE and SE 40th Street,” the letter reads in part. “With the Island’s growth that is projected as part of the Comprehensive Plan, we believe that traffic will only increase … particularly at this intersection.”

To read the letter, visit www.mercerislandschools.org.