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School crossing project starts Monday

Detours near Parkside, Southview, middle school

MARSHALL — Drivers in Marshall should be on the lookout for detours or lane shifts near school buildings next week, the city of Marshall said.

Construction of school crossing safety improvements outside True Light Christian School, Parkside Elementary, Southview Elementary, and Marshall Middle School are planned to begin Monday.

The improvement project includes installing flashing crossing beacons on East College Drive, East Lyon Street, East Southview Drive and South Saratoga Street near the schools.

“It’s helpful for us, not just for traffic awareness, but also for students’ safety,” said Dion Caron, business services director at Marshall Public Schools.

He said MPS has been in communication with the city throughout the planning process for the crossing project. The safety updates were made possible with the help of state grant funding, Caron said.

In addition to the flashing beacons, pedestrian islands will be built on East Lyon Street, East Southview Drive and South Saratoga Street.

The city doesn’t plan to build a pedestrian island outside True Light at this time. However, a pedestrian island and crossing at the school is currently included in the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s layout for the upcoming reconstruction of Highway 19 in Marshall. The reconstruction project, which would affect College Drive between South Fourth Street and Bruce Street, is scheduled for 2025.

The city announced that work on the four school crossings will happen intermittently between Aug. 22 and Sept. 1. Drivers should look for detour and construction signage. There will be a lane shift on East College Drive while the crossing beacons are installed near True Light Christian School. Detours are planned on East Lyon Street near Parkside School, on East Southview Drive near Southview Elementary, and on South Saratoga Street near Marshall Middle School.

The crossing updates are planned just in time for the start of the school year. The first day of school at True Light is Aug. 31. The first day of school for students at Parkside, Southview and Marshall Middle School is Sept. 7.

“That’ll be perfect,” Caron said of the timing. Having the beacons will help slow traffic down and protect both children and crossing guards. “We need a lot of awareness,” especially during busy times before and after school, he said.

Area residents with questions about the school crossing project or detours are encouraged to call the Marshall Public Works office, at 507-537-6773.

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