At the beginning of next year, Oakcrest in front of Grant Elementary School will be closed to through traffic after school.

The Casper City Council gave formal approval at Tuesday's council meeting to an agreement made between the city and the Natrona County School District at a work session in September.

The plan allows Grant Elementary School to close Oakcrest Avenue between 16th and 17th streets between 3 and 4:30 p.m. on school days.

The safety of children crossing Oakcrest has been a concern among parents for years, according to a letter presented to the council by Dennis Bay, executive director of facilities and technology for the Natrona County School District.

The district superintendent signed the agreement, which the Casper City Council approved at Tuesday's meeting.

Tom Messecher, principal of Grant Elementary, said he hoped to have barricades constructed and the street ready for closure before the first day of 2010.

The school is responsible for setting and removing the barricades. Any changes to the agreement would have be subject to council approval.

You can reach city reporter Pete Nickeas at pete.nickeas@trib.com or (307) 266-0639. You can read more about Casper politics and government at http://tribtown.trib.com/redtape

News Tracker:

Last we knew: The city council was set to approve an agreement with the Natrona County School District to close Oakcrest Avenue between 16th and 17th streets between 3 and 4:30 p.m. on school days.

The latest: The city council approved the plan at Tuesday's meeting.

What's next: Principal Tom Messecher said Tuesday that he hopes to have the barricades ready before the beginning of next year.