Pedestrian Overpass for Bosse H.S. Requested

Evansvilles City Council hopes to bend some ears in the Indiana State House, and unlock some state highway funds in the process to fix a dangerous school crossing. Every morning and afternoon, dozens of students have to cross six lanes of traffic on U.S. 41 at Washington Ave. Even with crossing guards, flashing lights and a school speed limit of 30 miles per hour, the area is plenty dangerous. When it comes to obeying that posted speed limit, crossing guard Erica Ramos said, "Out of every 100 cars, maybe five" actually slow to 30 miles an hour. For years, school and city officials have been looking for ways to pay for a pedestrian overpass to give students a safe way to cross. Now, city councilman Joe Kiefer and his brother, E-VSC school board member Chris Kiefer are planning an all out campaign to land state dollars to build it. The school board, and now the city council have both passed resolutions asking the state for funding to improve safety at 41 and Washington Avenue. Joe Kiefer says he and his brother will begin a calling and letter writing campaign to get the governor and other state leaders to listen to their concerns. Joe Kiefer hopes Governor Mitch Daniels will allow the city to tap in to Major Moves road construction funds to pay for the estimated $150-250 thousand for the overpass. Kiefer says appealing right before an election year could get better results. Daniels is up for reelection in 2008.