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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Schools to get flashing signs

Speed limits in three school zones in Spokane Valley will become a little more obvious for drivers and, city officials hope, safer for students in the coming months after state grant money is used to install flashing beacons on nearby roads.

At its regular meeting Tuesday, the City Council approved the use of a $22,500 Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant to install the lighted signs at Broadway, Seth Woodard and Trentwood elementary schools.

Later, the council will modify its traffic ordinances to specify that the speed limit in those areas is 20 mph when yellow lights on the signs are flashing.

Signage in front of the schools now tells drivers to slow down when children are present. Councilman Bill Gothmann said he liked the idea of the beacons because they create less ambiguity for drivers.

“People who are driving cars know exactly what the speed limit is, there is no question,” he said.

Two beacons at each school are scheduled to be up by early to mid-October.

The grant application states the city aims to reduce traffic speeds on Broadway Avenue, Park Road and Wellesley Avenue in front of the schools and hopes to eventually install the lights at all elementary schools.

A letter from the Spokane Valley Police Department, in support of the grant, said that the first week or so after beacons are installed, police will patrol the zones and warn speeders of the change.

After that, they will issue tickets to people driving over the 20-mph limit when the beacons are flashing.