Construction near Idaho Falls school has parents concerned

Construction continued on Pancheri Drive outside Eagle Rock Junior High School this week as crews worked to replace the north side of the bridge over the East Lateral Canal. But the project’s proximity to Eagle Rock Junior High School has drawn some concerns.

A portion of the sidewalk on the north side of the street is closed, and pedestrians have to cross the intersection through the lanes where traffic is being diverted.

One woman wrote on Local News 8’s Facebook page: “I almost hit a car yesterday that was hurriedly trying to pull out of the west entrance of Eagle Rock to turn left.” Parents are concerned that could just as easily have been a student.

School officials spent the day meeting with city officials to make this area of Pancheri safer.

“The city’s going to try and sort of beef up patrols to make sure that motorists are obeying the traffic signs in that construction area,” said Margaret Wimborne, Idaho Falls School District 91 spokeswoman.

They’ll also be hiring additional crossing guards.

“In the meantime, our principal and staff from Eagle Rock are out there just before and after school to help students,” said Wimborne.

Some parents say they’re even making their kids switch routes. The school district says that’s a good idea.

“Drop students off from behind the school on Brentwood to avoid that to avoid that construction area altogether,” Wimborne said.

The construction project is expected to wrap up this spring.