x
Breaking News
More () »

Eagan community pushes for long-term school zone improvements

Diffley Road safety improvements will take center stage at another meeting Thursday night.

EAGAN, Minn. — Four months ago, Jennifer McGovern saw the fragility of life in her own community.  

Her son attended Dakota Hills Middle School with 13-year-old Patric Vitek, the budding hockey player who died in early November when a car hit his bike in the center lane of Diffley Road in Eagan. His death reignited safety conversations in the District 196 school corridor, quickly leading to a 30 mph speed limit at the start and end of school days, flashing school zone lights, dynamic speed signs, extra police enforcement, and the hiring of crossing guards.

RELATED: Eagan lowers speed limits on Diffley Road following teen's death

RELATED: Family, friends remember Eagan teen struck and killed on his bicycle

That last initiative — new crossing guards — caught McGovern's attention when a school official suggested she apply for the job.

"And I got it. Now, I'm the first crossing guard in District 196 in 15-plus years," McGovern said. "And I've gone above and beyond to prepare for my job. That's important to me."

Within her first month on the job, McGovern experienced first-hand the importance of safety improvements. Last week, a slow-moving car collided with McGovern as she tried to escort students through the crosswalk; although she did not fall over, she said she suffered whiplash and muscle spasms. A district spokesperson said they're aware of the incident, and Eagan Police took a hit-and-run report. 

"I was in shock," McGovern said, "so much shock that I didn't know what to do."

The incident happened at the entrance to the middle school, just a block away from Diffley and part of the same school area that will become the focus of another meeting Thursday night. Dakota County, which owns Diffley Road, will hold a public information meeting alongside the City of Eagan and School District 196. After gathering input in late 2019, some potential long-term options will be discussed, including drop-off area improvements to ease congestion, reduction of lanes on Diffley, and better pedestrian crossings — including even an underpass option.

However, the improvements may take months to implement.

"We're making baby steps in the right direction," McGovern said. "It just feels too slow."

Before You Leave, Check This Out