We announced a new public-private partnership with our transportation partner, First Student, to install newly allowed stop arm extensions on 20 of the school buses to better alert motorists. The warning system upgrades will help make school buses picking up or dropping off students more visible.
New legislation sponsored by Senator Doris Turner now allows school districts and buses across the state to be equipped with up to two additional safety arms but does not require them.
The arms are being installed thanks to a $10,000 donation from the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) and their signatory contractors.
The LED-illuminated arms that attach to the bottom of existing retractable bus stop signs and extend 72 inches from the side of the bus are manufactured by Springfield-based BusGates.