Webb Elementary Crosswalk Opens on Cooper Street

A signalized pedestrian crosswalk now stands on Cooper Street in front of Webb Elementary, the result of a three-year effort that began as a fifth-grade classroom assignment.

Four former Webb students — Jaquelin Carranco, Jesus Garza, Alonzo Salinas, and Edgar Toribio — returned to the school last week to test the crosswalk alongside Arlington Mayor Jim Ross and their retired teacher, Kathy Kaju. The students, now in junior high, first pitched the safety improvement to Ross in May 2023.

The class project initially centered on bridge design and structural engineering. Students proposed a pedestrian bridge to address safety concerns for Webb walkers on the busy Cooper Street corridor. City officials determined a signalized crosswalk was more practical.

"They called Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, made an appointment, and made sure their voices were heard," Kaju said.

The students presented their designs at City Hall three years ago, explaining how dangerous Cooper Street was for pedestrians. Ross promised the city would find a solution.

Carranco said the group did not expect their classroom project to produce results. "I hope it inspires other kids to speak up, because you never know what could happen," he said.

Garza drove from Houston to attend the crosswalk celebration. "I felt like this was a big milestone," he said. "If I didn't come today, I would regret not getting to see what our hard work made possible."