The Manteca Unified School District is appreciative of the collaborative efforts with the City of Lathrop when it comes to student safety.

In particular, the improved bicycle and pedestrian safety along Spartan Way near Lathrop High and the Lathrop Generations Center.

Assistant Superintendent Victoria Brunn mentioned that at the Dec. 8 Lathrop City Council meeting.

She also spoke on behalf of Principal Melissa Beatty in praising the City for installing the new, high-tech pedestrian crossing – equipped with smart signals, cameras, and alerts – along with raised crosswalks and bike lanes.

Brunn added that these safety initiatives apply not just to the Lathrop schools but “all campuses, for a safe and accessible” journey for students to get to school.

Back in September, a LHS student was hospitalized after being struck by a car enroute to school.

The following month, the Lathrop City Council approved the creation of the Capital Improvement Project for the Spartan Way Traffic Enhancements, which included precast bike lane divider units as a safety measure.

Elected leaders approved the purchase from SEMA Precast at the December monthly session – the cost, $195,225, will be allocated from the established CIP.

The proposed improvements, according to city officials, is to encourage bicyclists and users of other high-speed devices to utilize the bike line in the vicinity of LHS, improve the safe school route for those students, and calm traffic on Spartan Way.

The lead time for the precast bike lane divider units is about 13 weeks.

Construction on the project is scheduled to occur in March during the MUSD spring break.