Students, families and area residents near Kyrene Monte Vista Elementary School now have a safer way to cross Ray Road when they travel to and from the school. A dedication ceremony was held Thursday, Jan. 29 for the new Kyrene Monte Vista Pedestrian Bridge located in front of the school at Ray Road and Thunderhill Place in Ahwatukee Foothills.
The school is located along a curved stretch of Ray Road with a high volume of traffic and high traffic speeds. Approximately 200 students cross the road as 1,000 vehicles pass by during a 30-minute window each morning and afternoon.
Concerned for the students’ safety, parents and school administrators worked closely with city officials to provide a safer crossing. The City Council approved construction of the pedestrian bridge in June 2001, following a recommendation by the city’s School Safety Task Force.
As part of the city’s Percent for Arts program, an artist was selected to design the bridge with input from area residents and students at the school. The result is a crossing that invites children and their families to safely make their way across Ray Road.
