The K-rails are part of a long-term strategy to protect homes from flash flooding and potential mudflows that could come off hillsides that were stripped of soil-holding vegetation by the massive Station fire. The barriers are expected to be in place for at least a few years to allow time for brush to grow back, Los Angeles County officials have said.
While residents have so far accepted the K-rails as a necessary precaution, some parents are questioning their placement.
“There’s not a perfect solution,” Langford said. “Maybe you make a temporary crosswalk around the K-rails. You have to cross the street. That’s what it comes down to.”
The barriers are throughout the community but primarily affect campuses above Foothill Boulevard, such as Dunsmore Elementary School.
A few parents have approached Dunsmore Principal Karen Stegman about flash floods and the potential danger that exists.
“Those barriers are there for a purpose,” she said. “I don’t think we want to take the barriers out.”
Stegman acknowledged K-rails could pose an inconvenience, but added school entrances on Dunsmore and Lauderdale avenues could provide some routing flexibility.
“There are ways to get to school that are safe,” she said. “It’s a community school, so the fact that they are walking to school is great. If it looks like [children] are getting into traffic because of concrete barriers, then don’t go in that direction.”
But Robbyn Battles, a Crescenta Valley Town Council member, said the council ought to explore opening the sidewalk on clear days.
“Maybe we can get some cones put out to maybe create a walking area and keep the cars away from the K-rails there,” she said.
