What are your ideas for safe routes to schools?
33rd and Seneca
This is Seneca and West 33rd Street. On May 27, 2026, at around 3:30 pm, a student leaving summer school at South High was crossing Seneca, a five lane roadway, at 33rd. There is no crosswalk light here. She made it from the east side of Seneca to the center turn lane. A truck heading south in the inside lane stopped for her, but another van in the outside lane didn’t see her, or didn’t stop, and she was hit in the outside lane. The van then drove away from the scene.
Instead of talking about design decisions, this crash provides an opportunity to highlight the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Safe Routes to School program. They have been collecting data on some safe, and dangerous routes, and would like to learn about your thoughts and experiences regarding your student(s) walking, rolling, and biking to school. This information will support future opportunities to develop Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs, infrastructure projects, and other potential improvements across the region.
Take survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WAMPOSRTS
Some of the other comments regarding South High note that there are no crosswalks in the area, few sidewalks, and when they exist, are uneven. Further north, closer to Enders Elementary, people suggested road diets or adding bike lanes, since roads like Osage or 31st encourage fast speeds.
It would be interesting to see what design recommendations WAMPO comes up with in the aftermath of their survey. Hopefully, one of them will help prevent a crash like this.
Check back in to hear more about the importance of lighting and as always, Look, See, and Save.
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