City of Eureka addresses safety concerns near Washington Elementary

EUREKA, Calif. — Eureka residents are expressing concerns over a lack of road strips near Washington Elementary School and saying the absence of crosswalks in the area creates a potential safety hazard.

The area of Dolbeer Street in front of the school has been without crosswalks or lines for some time. With school now back in session, some parents are worried, especially during the busy drop-off and pick-up times.

Without the lines, it leaves nearby intersections without any marked crosswalks. Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery said the city is aware of the issue and has since secured a contractor to stripe this area and other locations around the city.

Additionally, the city mentions this is one of the contractors locally able to complete what they call "thermoplastic applications of striping" on the road.

"We went out to bid the contractor to do striping not only at this location but in other locations. That contractor, we've been trying to get to the site to do the crosswalks and they've been held up." Slattery said. "We have a commitment from the contractor now to get out there, hopefully, next week, but no later than September 12. So it is a matter of getting the contractor out there."

In the meantime, the city asks drivers in the area to take it slow and use caution where people are crossing.

The city also previously held a one-way traffic demonstration in the same area recently. Slattery said the city expects to release its findings at either the Sept. 20 city council meeting or the first meeting in October.