MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The pedestrian safety in Okemos Public Schools is a shared concern of the schools and the township. On the May 7th Township Board meeting, board members have passed unanimously a resolution to improve the Kinawa Drive safety in the area of Chippewa Middle School.

The resolution includes relocating 500 feet of sidewalk because the current sidewalk around the Senior Center Parking always accumulates water and ice in the winter; reducing the two crosswalks to Briarwood subdivision into one; adding a street light to the remaining crosswalk; and installing a rapid flashing beacon to it.

Julie Brixie, treasure of the Meridian Township, says, “My kids were at the Chippewa middle school which is on the street that is being impacted on Kinawa Drive. The parents were notified of different safety events that had occurred that resulted in the injury of either children attending the school or occasionally a parent, so I think that these improvements are very important.”

The total cost is more than $50,000. It will be equally shared between the township and Okemos Public Schools.