New School Zones Established For New Riverview School

BLOOMINGDALE - RIVERVIEW, FL — New school zones and extensive student-safety infrastructure are currently being established around two new schools in South Hillsborough County, including Riverview's Sumner High School.

The County asks that drivers remain aware of the changes and use extra caution when driving in the new zones. Many students make their way back to school buildings on foot and by bicycle.

The new school zones are just part of a larger effort to improve safety for students and parents accessing Hillsborough’s school buildings, the County said.

New student safety infrastructure includes pedestrian-activated crossing lights, black out boxes that prevent right-hand turns when pedestrians are present, new crossing markings, new stop bars and maintenance of existing signage.

The new and refurbished infrastructure serves to support crossing guards and make schools safer.

Some of the most significant changes students, parent and drivers will notice next week:

• New school zone and pedestrian infrastructure at the new Sumner High School on Balm Road just east of U.S. 301. This school also has a new traffic light in front of the school. Balm Road’s full-time speed limit also dropped to 25 miles per hour from U.S. Highway 301 to Clement Pride Boulevard.
• Big changes around Deer Park Elementary where the new Citrus Park Extension is under construction. Crews have worked diligently to prepare the northern lanes of Citrus Park Drive for parents to safely drop off and pick up school children. There is a new sidewalk and new crossing infrastructure at Citrus Park Drive and Countryway Boulevard to help pedestrians and bicyclists access the school as well.
• Belmont Elementary on Gate Dancer Road also is new and has pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, new crossings, and a school zone just north of Paseo Al Mar Boulevard.