City to Begin Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Project

Campbell officials are gearing up to start the bidding process for the construction of a bicycle and pedestrian safety project between Winchester Boulevard and the Western border of the city near Quinto Road.

The federally funded project at Pollard Road and Knowles Drive in Campbell is part of the government's Safe Routes to School movement that, according to CA.gov, aims to "increase the number of children who walk or bicycle to school by funding projects that remove the barriers that currently prevent them from doing so."

The project includes removing and rebuilding parts of Pollard Road near Rolling Hills Middle School and installing radar speed feedback signs, bike lanes and bike routes (narrower pathways) on both sides of the roadway.

"[The project] seems like a good opportunity to accommodate the number of students who are biking along Pollard Road," said Matthew Jue, Campbell traffic engineer. 

Another component of the project, Jue said, involves encouraging students to walk or bicycle to school and, pending the approval of funds, offering about 100 free bicycle helmets to Rolling Hills Middle School students who need them.

Jue said it's hoped that the giveaway will work by making helmets available to students at the Rolling Hills Middle School front office, Jue said.

Construction of the Pollard Road/Knowles Drive Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Project is expected to be completed by March of next year, according to a City Council report.