23-04-2025
Winston-Salem residents concerned about pedestrian safety near Parkland High School
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — Concerned community members are once again calling on Winston-Salem leaders for pedestrian safety improvements near Parkland High School.
The intersection of Peters Creek Parkway and Brewer Road remains a hot topic after several people spoke during public comment at the Winston-Salem City Council meeting on Monday.
This comes nearly three months after FOX8 last reported on safety concerns for pedestrians trying to cross the road in the heavily traveled area after a student was hit by a car near the school.
During public comment at the meeting, residents once again brought up a lack of sidewalks and dangerous crossings.
The city says some projects are moving forward. Residents say it's taken too long.
'Don't think I've ever seen a school situated adjacent to such a busy road,' a resident said during public comment.
Some Winston-Salem community members are still frustrated, pointing to a city study that identified these same concerns around Peters Creek Parkway and Brewer Road over a decade ago.
'Among the concerns that they listed about Peters Creek Parkway were things like the speed limit being high, the sidewalks basically being nonexistent,' said Olivia Doyle with Hate Out of Winston.
For many, it raises concerns with students crossing the road in that heavily travelled area with Parkland High School sitting near the intersection.
Doyle said it raises several questions.
'We were looking at this 2014 study, and we were like, 'Wait. How is it that the city conducted?' They gathered data more than a decade ago, and yet still now in 2025, we're having to push and push and push for sidewalks … for pedestrian safety infrastructure,' Doyle said.
Winston-Salem's director of transportation says change is in motion.
'NCDOT has designed pedestrian traffic signals, and our staff is in the implementation phase … installing those pedestrian traffic signals,' Winston-Salem Director of Transportation Jeff Fansler said.
The city is currently working on a traffic signal upgrade project at Peters Creek Parkway and Brewer Road. It's expected to be completed before the new school year in August.
As for sidewalks, officials say they've been trying to secure funding. Back in February, the city put out a request for a firm to design the Brewer Road sidewalk project.
It's meant to improve safety between West Clemmonsville Road and Buchanan Street, including new ADA-accessible walkways, crosswalks and curb improvements in front of Parkland High School.
City officials say momentum is growing.
'The current pedestrian improvements there at the specific intersection at Peters Creek does allow folks to cross the parkway while we wait for the larger, more comprehensive sidewalk project. Not funded today, but we're still pursuing that project,' Fansler said.
The design process for the sidewalk project for the North/South leg of Brewer Road just east of Parkland High School will be taking place throughout this year, and construction is expected to start in 2026.
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