In an effort to enhance safety and streamline traffic flow around Jefferson Elementary School, the City of Arkansas City has started implementing changes as suggested by a recent traffic study, according to a news release from the school district Tuesday.
These changes, which will be in effect for the start of the upcoming school year, affect parking zones and the relocation of a crosswalk in front of the school.
The decision to modify the existing parking zones and relocate the crosswalk stems from a comprehensive assessment of traffic patterns and safety concerns conducted by TranSystems.
Key changes include:
● The crosswalk will be moved from in front of the main entrance to the corner the A Street and Osage (by door B).
● Parking will no longer be allowed within a section of the north side of Osage.
To help successfully implement these changes, Jefferson families and visitors are asked to follow new signage, park in the parking lot when going inside the building, and pull all the way over to the curb when picking up/dropping off students. Patrons are also asked to only cross the street at the crosswalk and to stop for buses that have their STOP arms out.
“We’ll be sharing additional information with our families in the coming weeks,” Jefferson Elementary Principal Lauren Rosales said. “Nothing is more important than the safety of our students. We’re hopeful these changes will make our pick-up and drop-off experiences more positive for everyone.”
Ark City Police Chief Eric Burr said he hopes there will be a recognition that these changes may require some adjustment for community members but said he firmly believes these modifications are vital steps toward ensuring the safety and well-being of students, staff, and residents.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of our students and the community at large,” Burr said. “As part of this initiative, we will have a police presence at the intersection starting at 7:30 a.m. for the first two weeks of school. We kindly ask for everyone’s cooperation and patience during this time as we work towards creating a safer environment for all.”
