CHAMLIAN ARMENIAN SCHOOL IN GLENDALE TO RECEIVE FUNDS TO IMPROVE SAFETY

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 26, 2011 – 14:42 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Glendale schools will receive $1 million to improve
safety on nearby roads and crossings to encourage more parents and
students to ride a bicycle or walk to campus.

According to Glendale News-Press, the competitive grant was awarded
through the Federal Safe Routes to School Program as a part an effort
to increase safety around Glendale schools. The city also received
$500,000 to fund educational programs that promote walking or cycling
among students in 21 elementary and middle schools.

Much of the money will fund infrastructure improvements at Chamlian
Armenian School and Valley View, Franklin, Edison and Cerritos
elementary .

In some cases, the schools lacked sidewalks, parking, crossing guards
and flashing crosswalks. Chamlian Principal Vazken Madenlian called
the traffic flow at the Lowell Avenue campus a “serious situation.”

“During peak traffic hours, a line of cars backs up from the school
to the Lowell Avenue offramp from the Foothill (210) Freeway. This
is something that we have to sit down and talk with traffic engineers
to look at exactly what we need,” Madenlian said.

“Walking and riding a bicycle to school is more challenging for
Chamlian students since many of them live in other cities, including
Pasadena and Burbank. But administrators encourage parents and students
to carpool to reduce traffic congestion,” he added.

Some improvements at the schools include curb extensions, flashing
lights at crosswalks, raised crosswalks, signs, road striping and
crossing islands.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress