The city of Wauwatosa recently installed new school crossing signs funded by a Safe Routes to School grant from the state Department of Transportation.

The solar-powered, blinking school warning signs were installed Oct. 6 and programmed in time for the Oct. 8 Walk to School Day. The Public Works Department installed four new signs in addition to the sign at 79th Street and Wisconsin Avenue, which has been up for about two years, said Randy Michelz, Wauwatosa’s traffic and electrical supervisor.

The signs, which have a built-in clock assembly that makes them operational during only school crossing hours, were installed on Wisconsin Avenue — one between Glenview Avenue and Honey Creek Parkway and one at Robertson Avenue — and on 70th Street — the northbound sign near Cedar Street and southbound near Maple Terrace.

The city also installed seven solar-powered radar signs on Wisconsin, Glenview, 68th Street and Blue Mound Road.

Mayor Jill Didier, who was an alderwoman when she wrote the grant, said the number of accidents in the area of Honey Creek Parkway and Wisconsin Avenue and subsequent neighborhood concerns sparked her pursuit of safety measures.

The proximity of Jefferson, St. Jude and Wilson schools made the issue of pedestrian safety a priority, Didier said.

She worked with community leaders to compile a grant application, and the state awarded the city with $212,937 for the signs as well as pedestrian ramps, speed radar signs and bicycle racks.

The signs collect speed data, proving their effectiveness in slowing drivers, she said.

“My personal goal as mayor is to see if we can take elements of the Safe Routes to School program citywide,” she said.

“How we accomplish that is yet to be discussed,” but the conversation is necessary, Didier said.

Didier said she also hopes increasing the safety of walking and biking to school will help promote fitness for children.