Ulster County Executive Mike Hein Highlights Solar Speed Signs As Part Of County-Wide School Safety Initiative

Posted September 5, 2018

New Solar Speed Signs Come Online As Children Head Back-To-School

Kingston, N.Y.- County Executive Mike Hein reminds drivers across Ulster County that school is open and safety on our roadways and protecting our children is of the greatest importance. As part of Ulster County’s continuing school safety initiative, new solar speed feedback signs were installed and activated in time for the new school year near New Paltz High School on South Putt Corners Road and Onteora High School, Middle School and Bennett Elementary School on Route 28 in Boiceville.  Each sign will list the designated speed limit and provide a digital display of an oncoming vehicle’s speed.  The signs are part of the County Executive’s efforts to Build A Safer Ulster County, which includes other projects to widen roads and improve safety for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists.  Please see below for a full list of solar speed signs installed by Ulster County.

Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive

As a parent, I know that ensuring the safety of our children is of the utmost importance, especially when they are walking, biking or driving to and from school,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “Installing solar speed signs near schools will provide drivers of all ages with essential feedback so they can moderate their speed and enhance safety.   It will also remind drivers that school is back in session, to drive carefully and watch for students. As a community, we look forward to making this a safe and productive school year for our children and this school safety initiative coupled with improvements to our County’s roads will help better protect our children and pedestrians county-wide.”

Victoria McLaren, Superintendent, Onteora Central School District

“We are thrilled to have these new signs on Route 28 to remind drivers to slow down as they are entering the school zone,” said Superintendent Victoria McLaren, Onteora Central School District. “Many drivers seem to forget that this section of Route 28 is a school zone and they often travel past the school at speeds that far exceed the posted limit. This creates a very dangerous situation for our students. These signs will be a very clear visual reminder to drivers that they need to slow down. I am greatly appreciative of the support of the County Executive Hein and all of the agencies involved in providing the Onteora district with this resource.”

The new solar speed feedback signs are the most recent addition to the signs previously installed and activated near the following schools this past year:

  • Grant D. Morse Elementary School, Harry Wells Rd (East), Saugerties
  • Grant D. Morse Elementary School, Harry Wells Rd (West), Saugerties
  • Woodstock Day School, Glasco Tpk (East), Saugerties
  • Woodstock Day School, Glasco Tpk (West), Saugerties
  • Mt. Marion Elementary School, Glasco Tpk (East), Saugerties
  • Mt. Marion Elementary School, Glasco Tpk (West), Saugerties
  • Children’s Annex, Kukuk Ln (East), Kingston
  • Children’s Annex, Kukuk Ln (West), Kingston
  • Highland High School, Pancake Hollow Rd (East), Highland
  • Highland High School, Pancake Hollow Rd (West), Highland
  • Marlboro High School, Cross Rd. (East), Marlboro
  • Marlboro High School, Cross Rd. (West), Marlboro
  • SUNY Ulster, Cottekill Rd (East), Stone Ridge
  • SUNY Ulster, Cottekill Rd (West), Stone Ridge
  • Marbletown Elementary School, Route 213 (East), Stone Ridge
  • Marbletown Elementary School, Route 213 (West), Stone Ridge
  • Saugerties High School, Washington Ave (South), Saugerties
  • Highland Elementary School, Old New Paltz Rd (West), Highland
  • Brookside School, Lucas Ave (North), Cottekill
  • Brookside School, Lucas Ave (South), Cottekill
  • New Paltz High School, S. Putt Corners Rd, New Paltz
  • Onteora High School, Middle School and Bennett Elementary School, Route 28, Boiceville.

Communities that are interested in possibly having solar speed signs installed can email the Ulster County Executive’s Office at: Exec[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us. In addition, more resources, including a digital toolkit for communities to create their own safety program, are available at Ulster County’s ‘Safe Routes To Schools’ webpage located at http://ulstercountyny.gov/planning/transportation-council/safe-routes-to-school. 

Pictured above from left: Victoria McLaren, Superintendent of Onteora Central School District; Monica LaClair, Assistant Superintendent for Business; County Executive Mike Hein; and Dr. Jodi DeLucia, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction.