FAIRHOPE, Alabama—Walking to school just got easier and safer for many Fairhope Elementary students and parents, thanks to the installation of new crossing signals a few blocks north of the school.

Charlene Lee, with the organization Smart Coast, says a parent alerted her to the problem at the intersection of Gayfer Avenue and Section Street.

“The stoplight is designed so that it stays green for Section Street unless a car approaches from the cross street,” Lee said. “So a walker or bike rider could wait forever for the light to change. Parents who live in the neighborhoods on the west side of Section Street wanted to be able to cross the busy street safely, without having to dodge traffic. That’s not a great example to set for their children.”

Lee contacted Sherry Sullivan with the city of Fairhope, who connected her with Scott Sligh, electric superintendent, according to a city news release.

“Ms. Lee and I talked about it, and I thought it was a good project, as part of a broader effort to encourage children to walk to school,” Sligh said. “We had some extra poles from when we redid that intersection with LED lights, so that was a start. The city purchased the signals, and we completed all of the work in-house. Programming the controller to work with the new signals was new territory for us, so we had to figure it out as we went along. Jeremy Morgan did the bulk of the work, with input and assistance from Jimmy Cluster who maintains an International Municipal Signal Association certification.”

Lee says the parent who first requested assistance was happy with the city’s quick response.

“She was extremely pleased that things could be done so quickly. It’s a perfect story of a responsive government.”

Fairhope Mayor Tim Kant agrees.

“It was an important request and I’m glad that the city was able to help rectify the problem,” Kant said. “We want to do all we can to encourage children and adults to walk more or ride their bikes, and having a safe way to cross a busy street on a school route is very important.”