It will be a little easier to walk to Bonney Lake High School and Mountain View Middle School next fall, as a new traffic light is being installed in the area to help the flow of pedestrian traffic.

According to Sumner School District Communications Director Ann Cook, the district is installing the new traffic light as part of the improvements approved by voters in the 2007 capital improvements bond.

“We believe it will improve pedestrian safety for that walking corridor,” Cook said.

The light is part of intersection improvements required by the city of Bonney Lake as mitigation for the expansion of Bonney Lake High School.

Cook said the neighborhoods surrounding the schools are highly walkable and  many students walk to school. Cook said a light at the intersection will make the walk safer.

Cook said the project is estimated to cost $600,00 and added that bids for the project came in below initial estimates.

Construction is expected to be completed before the start of the 2012-2013 school year.

In addition to the new traffic signal, the city of Bonney Lake in April relocated new street light to the crosswalk at the intersection of Brookside Drive and 200th Avenue Court to improve lighting for pedestrians, especially students walking to school.

The light was moved from the corner under construction and will be replaced by a new light, part of the district’s improvements.