Foster City and School District Share Safety Reminders and Suggested Detour Route as Students Return to Bowditch Middle School Beginning August 12
For immediate release: July 29, 2021
Contact: Levee Project Hotline at 1-800-213-6320, leveeproject@fostercity.org
With Bowditch Middle School’s school year beginning Thursday, August 12, the City of Foster City and the San Mateo-Foster City School District would like to remind students, parents and the community to use extra caution when driving near the area.
Students will return to the campus for in-person learning this year, with school starting at 8:25 a.m and ending at 3 p.m. This will result in an increase of all forms of traffic in the area including vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles. On minimum days which occur every Wednesday, however, school concludes at 1 p.m.
“I am excited for a fresh start this upcoming school year and am happy to be a part of the Foster City community,” said Bowditch Middle School Principal Caleb Bowers. “As we prepare for students and teachers to return to campus, I urge everyone in the Bowditch community to stay alert while traveling through the area and help keep each other safe.”
The City of Foster City partnered with Bowditch Middle School and the San Mateo-Foster City School District to collaborate on a detour route and alternative drop-off and pick-up locations to enhance safety and help alleviate traffic around the project area.
Below are important detour route highlights, as well as safety and traffic tips:
Students and families are encouraged to use the detour options along Marlin Avenue in lieu of traveling along Beach Park Boulevard, where heavy traffic is expected.
Left turns onto or from Beach Park Boulevard at Tarpon Street and Swordfish Street will be prohibited Monday through Friday during drop-off and pick-up times, which are from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. respectively. Signage will be posted.
Designated meeting areas at Marlin and Sunfish Parks have been established so students can safely walk to and from the campus using available sidewalks and crosswalks.
The Foster City Police Department will have an increased presence in the area to enforce safety protocols.
“Safety is the Levee Improvements Project’s main priority, which is why we are thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with the San Mateo-Foster City School District,” said Foster City Manager Peter Pirnejad. “We understand that the construction along Beach Park Boulevard can be an inconvenience for students, their parents and the general public, so we’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while encouraging them to be mindful of the increased activity around Bowditch Middle School once the school year begins.”
The school detour map and safety guidelines will be highlighted at the next Levee Project Community Update webinar on Thursday, August 5 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This meeting will also provide general project news and milestone updates and general safety reminders, in addition to answering questions during the Q&A session. To participate: click on https://fostercity-org.zoom.us/j/81510892288 or call-in with the phone number 408-638-0968; the Webinar ID is 815 1089 2288. Questions can be submitted ahead of time by emailing mailto:leveeproject@fostercity.org with the subject line “Community Q&A” or can be asked live via the chat feature during the webinar’s Q&A session.
To sign up for emails related to the Levee Improvements Project, including regular construction updates, visit the project website at www.FosterCityLevee.org. Any construction-related issues or inquiries may be reported to the project hotline at 1-800-213-6320 (calls will typically be returned within 24 hours).
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