The PDF version of this letter can be accessed here:
October 13, 2023
To Whom it May Concern,
Valli Vue Homeowners Association would like to express our unwavering support for
reinstating school bus services in the Valli Vue neighborhood. The decision to remove
bus stops from our community in the winter of 2022 has significantly impacted our families
and our children's safety. It is essential to reconsider this decision for the following
reasons supporting the safety and practicality of Valli Vue roads.
The concerns raised by ASD Transportation regarding steep grades, narrow roads, blind
curves, and accidents are important. However, upon closer examination of Valli Vue's
road infrastructure, it becomes evident that these concerns are not unique to our
neighborhood and can be addressed effectively.
We conducted measurements of random road widths within Valli Vue, including West
Tree, Lone Tree, Main Tree, and Corner Tree. We found that all measurements
consistently reached an approximate width of 24 feet (paved) without the RAP shoulders.
These measurements align with what would be expected in a typical neighborhood. Wider
roads would not be expected and would likely result in an unnecessary increase in capital
costs. In fact, the added rapped shoulder potentially enhances the safety of school bus
traverses compared to the conditions during which ASD previously serviced our
neighborhood.
Regarding the concern of deep ditches, if we use Birch Road as an example, which the
bus now traverses multiple times a day during the current school route, we find
comparable ditches. While vegetation can affect visibility of ditches, it is essential to clarify
that the assertion that our neighborhood's ditches are steeper or deeper than those
encountered by ASD daily is inaccurate. The maps shared by ASD clearly show that they
navigate roadways with ditches as deep and steep as those in Valli Vue. The only
difference lies in the higher speed limits and traffic volumes on their current main road
routes, arguably making the main roads less safe than the roads within our neighborhood.
In addressing the "blind corners and steepness" concern, it is worth noting that similar
steepness levels exist on roadways that ASD currently serves, in comparison to Valli
Vue’s, including the alternative route our kids’ buses now take. Site distance challenges
are prevalent throughout the municipality, and if this were a disqualifying factor for bus
routes, it would widely affect routes across the district.
Furthermore, it is important to recognize that children should not be required to walk long
distances, especially during dark and snowy winter months, for their own safety. The
ditching project conducted in 2022-2023 did not alter the road surface. It altered the safe
walking surface, potentially introducing additional hazards to pedestrians, in this case,
our schoolchildren. The safety and well-being of our children should always be a top
priority and having them inside a bus is infinitely safer than walking along any road. While
accidents can happen anywhere, using incidents involving inattentive drivers as a
rationale for bus removal is not justifiable as they can happen anywhere.
Last winter, Valli Vue experienced superior road maintenance compared to the municipal-
managed roads where buses currently operate. Our roads were consistently plowed and
graveled, usually within hours, even during and after the historic snowfall days, and
proved to be among the best-maintained roads in the Municipality. This contrast highlights
the reliability of our neighborhood's maintenance efforts.
In conclusion, we believe that reinstating school bus services in Valli Vue is not only
essential for the safety of our children but also practical, given the road conditions and
the support from our community. It should also be noted that Anchorage’s Public
Transportation buses still drive through and service Valli Vue bus stops without issue. We
strongly urge a reconsideration of this decision.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to a resolution that places
our children's safety at the forefront.
Thank you,
Valli Vue Estates Property Owners Association