Changes made in routes to school

Carson City's streets will be ready to go by the time students return to classes Monday, said transportation manager Patrick Pittenger.

The most troublesome issue, the street closure on Saliman Road in front of Carson High School, will be resolved.

"It will be open to traffic by Monday," he said. "We're expecting to have the road paved and back open for business before school starts."

The roads department has also been busy getting routes to school ready for students.

Crosswalks in school zones have been repainted, and more radar signs are being installed. In addition to the four signs indicating the speed of the passing motorist installed a couple of years ago, five more are being installed this year.

One has already been put in place on Fairview and another near Fremont Elementary School.

Three more will go in at Seeliger, Fritsch and Bordewich-Bray Elementary Schools, Pittenger said.

Perhaps the biggest change will be for students walking or biking to Empire Elementary School and Eagle Valley Middle School.

Rather than walking along Fairview Drive to hit the paved path when coming from Fifth Street, students will now be able to walk along a paved path that runs behind Rattlesnake Hill.

It connects the neighborhood off Hells Bells Road with the paved path that runs alongside Fairview Drive.

Pittenger said the path was paved for thanks to a Safe Routes to School grant and will benefit all residents.

"It was made specifically for school purposes, but obviously the whole neighborhood can use it," he said.

Local law enforcement is also reminding motorists to take extra caution when driving over the next couple of weeks.

"When driving through school zones, pay attention," said Sergeant Bob White, with the Carson City Sheriff's Department. "The speed limit is 15 mph."

He urged drivers to heed the signals of the crossing guards and flashing signs in school zones.

He also warned students to be careful out on the roads.

"Look twice before crossing the street," he said.