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Lori Prichard reportingTwo months after two children were hit by cars in front of a Layton elementary school something is being done to make the area safer and less congested.
Parents had been saying for months that the area in front of Ellison Park Elementary was a danger zone. "We're only asking for a crossing guard. It's not the end of the world. It's not that expensive, so figure a way to do it," parent Betsy Dixon said.
The city of Layton hasn't quite figured out a way to put a crossing guard at the intersection near the school -- an intersection that carries more than 270 cars going in and out, as well as 130 school children.
What the city did decide to do is to make the dead-end street the school sits on a through street. The intent is to cut down on parents having to double back to leave the school, which, in turn, should alleviate the congestion that happens here twice a day.
"I think the road going through will be beneficial because it will relieve some of the congestion and vehicular traffic and make it a safe area for our students as they try to navigate home walking with all the vehicles in that area," said Principal Chuck Johnson.
Only time will tell if the city's efforts will help with the traffic problems. In the meantime, those we spoke with still want the crossing guard. School officials told us the city did several studies which didn't warrant a crossing guard post.
We attempted to speak with the city manager today about the decision, but his secretary told us he's been in meetings all day and wasn't available.
E-mail: lprichard@ksl.com
