By Andrew Edwards
Elmore/Autauga News Staff Writer
ELMORE COUNTY – In front of Coosada Elementary is Airport Road, an Elmore County maintained road that has stirred up controversy, predominantly concerning the hours of the school zone, and jurisdictional territory.
There is a difference of opinion between the Town of Coosada, and the Elmore County Commission and Elmore County Board of Education to determine the appropriate school zone times. Adding to that confusion is the placement of two different school zone signs. One was placed by the Elmore County Commission which maintains that area, while a second, smaller sign was placed directly in front of that sign by the Town of Coosada.
County officials say the Town of Coosada does not have the right to put a sign in place along the roadway regarding school zones.
We reached out to Coosada Mayor Jim Houston and Coosada Police Chief Leon Smith Jr. regarding the school zone and signage issue. Chief Smith deferred comment to Mayor Houston. Mayor Houston said he has no comment at this time.
A recent traffic study shows that the extended hour and a half school zone is no longer necessary, as improvements for traffic flow around the school have been improved since last year. The Commission has notified the Town of Coosada about the results of the traffic study, and said the second sign will come down within the next few days, one way or the other.
Over the past several years, traffic on Airport Road has been a headache for most people trying to either drop their child off in the morning or pick them up in the afternoon. Thus, school zone times were longer, reflecting the amount of traffic that Airport Road saw in morning and afternoon times.
Specifically, school zone times in the area were 7 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. for drop-off, and 2 – 3:30 p.m. for pick-up. During those times, the speed limit was lessened from 45 mph to 25 mph.
“We had cars stopping (last year) and parking on the side of the road in both the morning and afternoon. It was a hazard for all involved, so we took action to correct what was happening,” said Richie Beyer, Chief Operations Officer for Elmore County.
The Elmore County Commission, in conjunction with the Elmore County Board of Education, took steps to limit the amount of traffic on the road with the creation of turn lanes and gravel drives around the school.
“The ultimate goal was to limit the amount of traffic that was on Airport Road and shift it closer to campus,” Beyer said.
Beyer explained that the actions taken by the BoE and County Commission were successful, and that traffic has recently been nearly non-existent on Airport Road.
Because of this, in July Elmore County Superintendent Richard Dennis requested that the school zone times be lessened to better reflect the operations of the school. Their thought process was simple – better traffic flow meant that parents and students would be out of the area faster, therefore, school zone times would not have to be as long.
“We’ve put a lot of investment into that parent pick-up line,” Dennis said.
Dennis’ request was ultimately approved, and for the first three weeks of school this year, times in the area were changed from an hour and half to 45 minutes – 7:05 a.m. – 7:50 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.
The change in time did not sit well with the Town of Coosada, which intervened and taped the old school times zones over the new ones. That didn’t sit well with the Elmore County Commission. This was followed by the placement of a second school zone sign directly in front of and blocking the county’s sign.
Recently, a site survey was conducted to prove whether or not the new school time zones were functioning properly in conjunction with pick-up and drop-off times. Beyer said that, after the survey, slight changes will take place.
“Starting next week, the drop-off times will be changed from 7:10 a.m, – 7:55 a.m. to 7:05 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. We’re also going to move the school zone signs closer to the school to match right turn movement,” Beyer said.
Beyer explained that the current traffic flow around Coosada Elementary is the best he’s seen during his time with the county – far better than when the school zone times were an hour and a half.
