NR070226 City of Sunnyvale Welcomes Laurelwood Elementary to New Campus with Extensive Safety Improvements

Release #07 02 26

Contact:
Alia Wilson, Deputy PIO
408-731-0716
[email protected]

City of Sunnyvale Welcomes Laurelwood Elementary to New Campus with Extensive Safety Improvements

SUNNYVALE, Calif. - As the Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) prepares to open the brand-new Laurelwood Elementary School campus on Aug. 10, the City of Sunnyvale is officially welcoming the school community from its former location in Santa Clara to its new home in Sunnyvale.

To ensure a smooth transition for students, families, and neighbors, the City has partnered closely with SCUSD to implement comprehensive safety upgrades surrounding the new campus.

"Our top priority is ensuring that every child traveling to and from campus can do so safely, whether they are walking, biking, or being dropped off," said Daniel Pistor, Chief of Public Safety. "We ask all drivers to slow down, stay alert, and share the road as everyone adapts to new traffic patterns this fall."

"Designing a safer environment around our schools requires a proactive, long-term approach," said Public Works Director Aaron Bert. "Over the past six years, our Public Works team has carefully implemented street engineering enhancements specifically tailored to calm traffic and protect pedestrians. We'll continue to assess the area after the school opens to ensure these streets serve the neighborhood as safely and efficiently as possible."

Enhanced Traffic Control and Increased Enforcement

To address neighborhood traffic flow and minimize backup queues during drop-off and pick-up hours, the City, school district and BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Lower School have established key operational measures:

• Dual Drop-off Locations: Traffic for Laurelwood will be dispersed across two designated campus entry points-one on Teal Drive and one on Dunford Way.
• Staggered School Schedules: BASIS Independent has implemented staggered start times across grade levels to reduce peak congestion.
• Increased Public Safety Patrols: Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers will maintain a heightened presence around the campus during the opening weeks of school to monitor speed, enforce traffic laws, and ensure crosswalk compliance.

Key Infrastructure Improvements by Location

Over the last six years, the City has made strategic engineering enhancements-including red curb paint to improve sight lines, high-visibility crosswalks, and new pedestrian features-across key intersections:

1. Quail Avenue / Dunford Way

• Features an operational Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) system at the east crosswalk.
• A newly assigned crossing guard will be stationed here to assist students.

2. Sandpiper Court / Dunford Way

• Installed a new lighted enhanced crosswalk system. High-visibility crosswalk markings on Dunford Way and Sandpiper Court to be completed by SCUSD by Aug. 6.
• The City will conduct traffic warrant studies after school starts to evaluate the potential addition of stop or yield signs for the northbound approach.

3. Teal Drive / Dunford Way

• Installed red curb paint on the northwest and northeast corners to clear sightlines near crossings.
• Added advance stop markings, high-visibility crosswalks, and a curb extension on the northwest corner (with an additional northeast curb extension to be completed by SCUSD by Aug. 6).
• A newly assigned crossing guard will be stationed here to assist students.

4. Teal Drive (School Frontage between Lillick Drive and Dunford Way)

• Center line and shoulder striping along the Teal Drive frontage to guide traffic safely along the perimeter to be completed by SCUSD by Aug. 6.
• The City will conduct a multi-way stop sign warrant study at Teal Drive and Lillick Drive once normal campus traffic flows are established.

5. Teal Drive/ Inverness Way/ Lochinvar Avenue Additional Surrounding Upgrades

• Added a high-visibility crosswalk on Inverness Way and red curb paint on all corners.

6. Thrush Way / Teal Drive

• Installed a new stop sign on Thrush Way to regulate intersection traffic.

7. Marion Way (between Oriole Avenue and Norman Drive)

• Added a dedicated pedestrian path to separate walkers from vehicular traffic.

8. Dunford Way / Lochinvar Avenue

• A post-opening traffic study will determine if stop or yield signs are warranted.

Safe Driving Reminder and Resources

The City reminds all motorists that traffic patterns in the neighborhood will shift significantly starting Aug. 10 when school resumes. Drivers should expect more pedestrians, plan for extra travel time during morning and afternoon commute hours, and follow posted school zone speed limits.

Visit the City's Safe Routes to School webpage for more information.

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