Categorized | Education

One-way entry drive to Waimea schools (Aug. 2)

MEDIA RELEASE

A five-year community effort to improve student safety and reduce severe congestion around Waimea Elementary and Middle Schools during peak morning and afternoon traffic hours comes to fruition as classes begin Monday, Aug. 2 with the opening of a new temporary gravel one-way entry drive on the back (south) side of the shared school campuses.

The new temporary gravel one-way entry drive will be open for 90 minutes each morning and afternoon on school days only:

* Mornings: 7-8:30 a.m.
* Afternoons: 2:15-3:30 p.m., weekdays, except Wednesdays from 1:15-2:30 p.m.

Cars and buses entering campus during these hours will access the new gravel one-way entry drive from Lindsey Road extension behind Kamuela Post Office to the west of Kahilu Theatre. They will slowly drive thru campus and drop off or pick up students in one of two areas.

Buses must drop students at the top of the hill next to the shop. Cars must drop off or pick up students in the parking lot behind the cafeteria where school staff will be stationed to assure their safety.

Vehicles will then exit campus by turning out onto Mamalahoa Highway.

A locked gate will block access to the one-way gravel entry drive at all other times.

Families and buses may not drop off or pick up students anywhere else on campus – including along the new gravel entry drive.

When the one-way pattern is in effect, no turns will be permitted from Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 190) into the longtime school entry.

To launch this new student drop-off and pick-up routine, police officers, banners, permanent signage and school personnel will help direct traffic.

Also, no students may be dropped off in the parking lot next to Thelma Parker Gym and Library before 8 a.m. Only teachers and school staff will be permitted to enter this parking area.

Families who want to stop and walk younger children to campus are asked to park at the back gate near the Post Office.

Waimea Schools new one-way gravel entry drive is the culmination of the determined efforts of school and community leaders.

“This is an excellent example of what our communities can achieve by working together,” said Sen. Dwight Takamine, who organized a work group about 18 months ago to focus on concerns that date back to late 2005.

For questions, call Waimea Elementary School at 887-7636 Ext. 0, or Waimea Middle School at 887-6090, Ext. 222.

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