Cars and a biker on a multi-lane road. There is also a person walking on the sidewalk.
Traffic Engineering
Yang Tao, Director of Traffic Engineering

School Street Pilot Project

Project area for closure: Jenifer street, from Rogers Street to S Thornton Avenue, along Marquette Elementary school.

Madison will pilot its first School Street at Marquette Elementary School beginning May 18. This project will close a portion of Jenifer Street next to the school to through traffic in order to improve conditions for students walking and bicycling to school, while also better managing vehicle traffic around the school.

What is a School Street?

There is no strict definition of a School Street – each community implements them differently. However, the main idea of a School Street is improving traffic safety around a school so that students can more easily walk or bike to school. Some School Streets are completely closed to traffic, while others are open to local traffic for varying times of the day.

What is the Marquette Elementary School Street Pilot Project?

Beginning Monday, May 18, Jenifer Street will be closed to through traffic between Rogers Street and South Thornton Avenue for the hour surrounding school arrival and dismissal every day. During these times, the school will only be open to people walking and biking and residents who live on the street. Caregivers dropping off or picking up students should drop them off on Jenifer Street west of Rogers Street or on South Thornton Avenue, Spaight Street, or South Dickenson Street.

During the project we will be collecting data about traffic speeds and volumes in the area, the number of students walking and biking to school, perceptions of traffic safety around the school, and potentially air quality near the school entrance.

Timeline

Jenifer Street will be closed between Rogers Street and South Thornton Avenue from Monday, May 18 through Wednesday, June 10 based on the following schedule:

DayAM ClosurePM Closure
Mondays7:00am - 8:00am1:00pm - 2:00pm
Tuesdays - Fridays7:00am - 8:00am2:00pm - 3:00pm

As a pilot project, this timeline could change based on observations.

Public Information Meeting

A brief public information meeting will be held on April 28 for people to learn more about the project.

 

  • 6:30pm – 7:30pm, Tuesday, April 28
  • Marquette Elementary Cafeteria, 1501 Jenifer Street – Enter near the playground

Questions & Answers

Why is the City doing this?

The City received a federal grant to conduct a pilot project of a School Street. The intent is to better manage traffic around a school during arrival and dismissal times, and to make caregivers and students feel more comfortable walking or biking to school.

I live on Jenifer Street or Cantwell Court – will I be able to get to and from my home?

Yes. Residents living in the closure area will be able to enter or leave the street during the closure times, although you may need to move a traffic cone or two (please move them back!). Traffic will not be restricted on Cantwell Court and residents can easily leave the area using that street. You will also be able to park on the street in accordance with local parking regulations.

Will people be able to bike through the School Street?

Yes. Anyone can walk and bike through the School Street. The street will be closed using traffic cones and signs that will allow room for people bicycling to pass through.

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