FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Flashing Crosswalk at Olympic View Elementary to Improve Safety and Ease Traffic Congestion
Oak Harbor, WA - September 4, 2025 — As students return to school this year, families attending Olympic View Elementary will feel safer as they navigate the busy streets around the school. Traffic around Olympic View Elementary has been a challenge, particularly during busy drop-off and pick-up hours. After carefully reviewing safety concerns and listening to feedback from the community, the City engineering team worked diligently to improve the situation.
"Thank you to all who expressed the challenges they faced during the busy drop-off and pick-up times at Olympic View Elementary. I heard your concerns during The Wright Blend events, and through pubic comments. Safety is priority, so I couldn’t ignore the need for improvement. I’m proud to say that we took action" said Mayor Wright.
This week the City announced the opening of a new flashing crosswalk at Olympic View Elementary, providing a safer way for students and families to cross Regatta Drive. While compacted gravel is in place for now, permanent concrete ramps will be added soon for a long-term solution.
This new crosswalk not only enhances safety, but it also encourages the use of Sumner Park as an alternative drop-off and pick-up location, helping to alleviate congestion around the school.
The City would like to thank Oak Harbor Public Schools, the Oak Harbor Police Department, and the Public Works team for working together and completing this project during the summer break. This collaboration is a great example of how we came together to solve a problem and make our community safer.
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For more information, contact Communications Officer, Magi Aguilar at maguilar@oakharbor.org