New pedestrian crossing frustrates but protects students, faculty

Janise Owens, Editor-in-ChiefAugust 29, 2019Leave a Comment

Emily Miller

Principal Shahveer Dhalla watches students as they cross the new pedestrian crossing on their way into school. The City of Arlington installed the crossing in August to give people going to and from AHS added safety.

It is not uncommon for our school to make changes every year. The social contract, tardy tables, and multicultural lunch lines are all examples of the changes made over the past years. Now, with the start of the 2019-2020 school year, the city of Arlington has decided to limit students and staff to one crosswalk to get across of Park Row.

“I think it’s efficient so that the students don’t just jump in front of my car to get across the street,” senior Carmen Linquist said. “I personally love it.”

In the past, there had been two crosswalks for students and faculty to use to cross Park Row. Now with one crosswalk and close to 3,000 people on campus, it takes longer to cross the street.

“It definitely affects my mornings since I park at the Mosaic,” Data Clerk Jamie Heggan said. “I’d say it added about 2-3 extra minutes to get to the office.”

While some are not into the idea of the new pedestrian crossing, others believe that it might be one of the best things to happen to AHS.

“It’s a great idea,” AP Physics teacher Mike Roark said. “This is much safer because no one––drivers or students––pays attention.”

Some teachers who park in the parking lot of Mosaic, which is across from the cafeteria,  are having issues with getting to class via the new crosswalk.

“I paid $60 for a parking spot at the Mosaic because it’s right across from my classroom in the new B Hall,” AVID teacher Melanie Patterson said. “You mean to tell me I have to walk all the way to the main office to get to the other side?!”

After speaking to City of Arlington Traffic Signal Supervisor Brian Montgomery, who was apart of the decision to install the crosswalk, information was gained on the reasoning behind the installment of the pedestrian crossing.

“The city decided to place the pedestrian crossing on Park Row because in the past, students were forced to rely on drivers to yield for their safety,” Montgomery said.

Though there has been grumbling the benefits of the crossing are already apparent, there have been no students hit or even close calls in the first two weeks of school.