Student warns council of unsafe crossings at Agua Fria High School

At the Jan. 26 Avondale City Council meeting, junior Adrian Almanza urged the council to address pedestrian safety near Agua Fria High School, describing faded crosswalk markings, a crosswalk that does not connect to a sidewalk and speeding by student drivers and parents on E. Riley Drive.

Almanza said there are only two usable crosswalks near the school and that the markings are “fading dramatically” and in some places the crosswalk “just leads immediately to the front office” instead of a ramp or usable sidewalk. He described parent drop‑off behavior that blocks lanes and causes traffic congestion before and after school, and recounted a recent near‑miss involving his mother and another student.

Mayor Pineda noted staff and council had already discussed the issue and asked Almanza to continue working with Kim and city management so staff could evaluate potential responses. The council did not take immediate action at the meeting but directed the student to continue coordinating with city staff to explore possible road‑safety measures.