Bus Loop Clarity??
The 4 options I presented on Thursday night are much different that the original version a few weeks ago. I am now suggesting that ONLY for dismissal the buses should go around the back and either exit on Jackson (option 1) or Marcellus (option 2). Since all of the buses do not arrive at the same time, the arrival drop off will remain as is. That should address the concerns about morning playtime and line up on the blacktop. Option 3 create a loop from Marcellus to Jackson (knocking down the garage) to allow of a drop off closer to the school as well as some more parking. Finally option four is independent of any loop- it calls for the removal of all cars from behind the building to allow for children to exit the cafeteria during lunch directly onto a car free blacktop. This option requires a new lot to be created north of the playground that doesn’t interfere with the current configuration of the playground. Pictures of all of these options can be accessed on the website under BOE presentations. I am NOT in favor of changing the direction of Jackson Ave to make it one way going West. I do not think that this will alleviate traffic, nor do I believe it is the safest way for walkers and riders to exit the building.
The “original builders” of Jackson Ave. school couldn’t have imagined the amount of vehicles that would be on the road today. They obviously did not predict the explosion in our population. I went to Jackson Avenue school. My mom didn’t DRIVE me everywhere because the FAMILY CAR was at work with my father. As was everyone else’s! Now, as unimaginable as it was to me then, there are now 4 people in my family and 4 cars! The street directions were CHANGED to the current configuration to address the safety of the children, as well as the congestion in the entire surrounding neighborhood. Alleviating traffic is a MAJOR safety issue. Buses that can drop children up close to the building is the best way to ensure their safety. And don’t forget that congestion sometimes leads to “road rage” and we all know how that could end.
I would like to add that forcing every vehicle that comes down Sayville to make a right will cause an already congested area to become further congested with vehicles. Residents living west of Jackson who already live in an area saturated with buses and cars will have even more vehicles flooding their neighborhood.
Changing the direction is completely up the Village and I am sure they will want a traffic study before making any decision. A traffic study must look how the change will impact the entire flow of traffic at all times. Forcing all traffic from Savville west on Jackson will have a huge impact on Chaminade’s arrival and dismissal. In addition it would require making the entire side North side of Jackson a bus stop (yellow lines-no parking) further limiting the parking available for parents who drive to pick up and drop off. Limiting flow of traffic and parking in an already heavily congested area is not good. Furthermore over 300 students would need to exit the front and west exits of the building- walk down the stairs to get to his/her bus. By staging the in back you eliminate the steps and use 3 exits closer to the buses for boarding; thereby making a faster, safer dismissal. In addition, the walkers would use the front and west exits to avoid a bottle neck with the busers.
Since my children first attended Jackson, I thought it was strange that the buses didn’t drop students at the front of the school. Just as the original builders must have imagined.
Can you please elaborate on your two objections to reversing the direction on Jackson?
First that you don’t think it will alleviate traffic. I didn’t think this was a goal of the proposed bus loop.
Second that you don’t believe it is the safest way to exit the building. I would think riders entering and exiting from the front of the building is an improvement over the current situation.
Thank you,
Michael Medved