{"id":939084,"date":"2026-10-19T18:08:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T18:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/939084\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T18:08:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T18:08:16","slug":"car-free-school-zones-seek-to-protect-kids-from-traffic-dangers-in-mississauga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/939084\/","title":{"rendered":"Car-free school zones seek to protect kids from traffic dangers in Mississauga"},"content":{"rendered":"

The city is seeking more Mississauga schools to take part in a Canada-wide effort aimed at protecting kids from the potential dangers of traffic.<\/p>\n

The national School Streets pilot project keeps cars away from elementary and middle schools at busy times of the day \u2014 early morning and mid-afternoon \u2014 when large numbers of students are entering or leaving the building.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy temporarily closing roads to vehicle traffic during drop-off or pickup times, the program reduces congestion and makes it easier for students to walk, bike or roll to (and from) school,\u201d the City of Mississauga said late last week in reintroducing the program for the upcoming school year.<\/p>\n

The city has been\u00a0inviting local schools to take part since it first joined the initiative in 2022.<\/p>\n

Mississauga public and Catholic elementary and middle schools that want to take part in the nationwide pilot program in spring 2027 have until Oct. 31 to sign up, the city said.<\/p>\n

Two schools took part in the pilot last year<\/p>\n

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Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Elementary School and Corliss Public School in Malton participated in School Streets during the last school year.<\/p>\n

During its nearly four-week-long participation in the national pilot this past spring, Sts. Peter and Paul, located near Rathburn Road East and Central Parkway East, cut off front-of-the-building access to cars at specific times of the day in a direct attempt to increase road safety in the immediate vicinity of the school.<\/p>\n

Corliss Public School, meanwhile, got on board with the School Streets initiative in September 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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When implemented, the road\/student safety program establishes a car-free environment at drop-off time in the morning and pickup time in the afternoon using barricades and road closure signage in front of schools.<\/p>\n

Making things safer for students is the goal<\/p>\n

The goal of the pilot study, simply put, is to make it safer for students to travel to and from school.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis program helps create a safe and community friendly space for students by closing the street in front of the school to vehicle traffic,\u201d city officials said earlier in describing the ongoing pilot study.<\/p>\n

Officials say the program also encourages students to be active by walking, biking or rolling to and from school.<\/p>\n

Mississauga Deputy Mayor and Ward 4 Coun. John Kovac, in whose ward Sts. Peter and Paul is located, has described the program as a \u201cgreat initiative.\u201d<\/p>\n

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(Photo: City of Mississauga)<\/p>\n

He said earlier that by creating safer streets, the pilot study \u201callows students and their families to get active and walk, bike or roll to and from school. Not to mention the benefits this program has on the environment around the school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam Rogers, the city\u2019s commissioner of transportation and works, said earlier the benefits of the program are countless.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom physical and mental health gains to lowering greenhouse gas emissions in school zones, this program is helping create safer, healthier and more connected communities for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking for more schools to take part\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rogers said the City of Mississauga is one of 25 communities across Canada participating in the extended School Streets initiative.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany of our school zones face temporary congestion during drop-off and pickup times, which presents traffic dangers, high concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions and lost opportunities for students to get physical activity and develop the skills needed to travel independently,\u201d Rogers said in June 2025. \u201cImplementing this School Streets pilot will be an innovative approach to help us create a space where students can feel more comfortable walking, cycling or rolling to and from school.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Mississauga School Streets pilot project is delivered in partnership with\u00a0Green Communities Canada\u00a0and funded by the\u00a0Public Health Agency of Canada.<\/p>\n

In 2022, the city took part in a School Streets pilot in Mississauga that involved three elementary schools for three weeks in May and June of that year.<\/p>\n

That initiative proved successful, city officials said, prompting them to support Mississauga\u2019s continued involvement in the pilot.<\/p>\n


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