New traffic signs erected in school zones

Peabody Police Chief Bruce Burke has announced that a project to upgrade Peabody traffic signs is now complete. Most of the changes were made around the schools. Public works employees installed about 40 signs relating to school zones and crosswalks.

“There are new school zone signs around both buildings,” Burke said. “And new double stop signs have been put in at the exit from the elementary school parking lot onto Elm Street.”

Also new are crossing signs where Fourth Street intercepts Walnut, Sycamore, Maple, and Elm streets. The crosswalks are painted on the street and are popular routes for children on foot and on bikes who are heading for Peabody-Burns Elementary School.

A crosswalk also is painted on the west edge of the school parking lot where vehicles exit to Elm.

“The speed limit on Peabody streets is 30 mph unless posted otherwise,” Burke noted. “The school zone and crossing signs reduce the speed limit to 15 mph when children are present between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.”

Burke and his officers have been giving warnings for several weeks as the upgrade project moved forward. With the upgrades completed and school starting this week, they will be patrolling the area in earnest and giving tickets.

“The idea is to keep the children safe,” he said. “We are glad to have the signs up in time for the start of the school year.”

Parallel parking in the grade school parking lot along the island of trees now is prohibited.

For more information contact Peabody police at 983-2133.