Safety Near 2 Schools In Canyon Hills Expected To Improve

An agreement that will see the city of Lake Elsinore and the Lake Elsinore Unified School District jointly fund a new traffic signal to improve safety for schoolchildren and residents in the community of Canyon Hills was approved during Tuesday night's Lake Elsinore City Council meeting.

The signal will be placed at the intersection of Canyon Hills Road and Sage Lane, a main access point for Cottonwood Canyon Elementary and Canyon Lake Middle schools. 

The project cost is approximately $260,000; the city earmarked $195,000 in its current Capital Improvement Program and the LEUSD pledged the remaining $65,000. 

Construction is estimated to begin in summer of 2014. 

“This project is an example of how the city is working with our local and regional agencies to resolve community concerns,” Lake Elsinore Mayor Natasha Johnson said in a released statement. “Approval by the City Council means we now have the green light to proceed on a very important project in our community.” 

City officials say the signal is warranted because of the high volume of cars using the roads adjacent to the two neighborhood schools, and the one-way school ingress/egress, as well as traffic congestion during school pickup and drop-off hours. 

LEUSD President Heidi Matthies Dodd said in a released statement, “The timing of this project through pooled resources couldn’t be better for Canyon Hills residents and school children in the vicinity of Cottonwood Canyon Elementary and Canyon Lake Middle Schools, which serve over 2,100 students combined. The city has been very proactive in getting us to the starting gate.” 

LEUSD’s governing board and the Lake Elsinore City Council unanimously approved the joint funding agreement in separate meetings in December and January, respectively. 

With approvals and funding now in place, design, bidding, and a contract award will follow.