School begins before Labor Day on Sept. 2

For the first time in many years, students will return to school for the 2009/10 school year on Wednesday, Sept. 2, the week prior to the Labor Day holiday. Because the Labor Day holiday falls so late this year, the first day of school occurs before the long weekend.

For the details and a calendar of the 2009-2010 school year, go to www.misd.k12.wa.us.

Healthy Ways to School Project starts

Construction work began last week near Lakeridge Elementary for the city’s “Lakeridge Elementary Healthy Ways to School” project. Roadwork is based primarily on S.E. 78th Street from 84th Avenue to Island Crest Way. The city’s contractor, Construct Co., will be building new curbs and sidewalks along S.E. 78th Street, installing a raised crosswalk on 84th Avenue S.E., and installing radar feedback speed limit signs on 84th Avenue S.E. Improvements from 84th Avenue to 85th Place are expected to be completed by the start of school; the remaining work from 85th Place to Island Crest Way will occur in September. The contractor will be working from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Minor traffic delays should be expected in the neighborhood and at the South Mercer Playfields.

A notification letter was mailed to over 300 residents in the neighborhood.

Questions about the project can be directed to Clint Morris, street engineer, at 275-7807. For more information about improvements coming to Mercer Island parks, roads and water and sewer systems, please visit www.mercergov.org/CIP.