Columbus will redirect traffic and restrict stopping and parking near Richards Elementary School to improve pedestrian safety.
The Columbus Board of Works on Tuesday approved a plan to alleviate traffic backing up along Fairlawn Drive and Par 3 Drive near the school each morning and afternoon.
The changes, which will go into effect next week, will prohibit parking or stopping on Fairlawn between Kennedy Drive and the northeastern driveway to First Baptist Church.
The restriction will be in effect during the morning drop-off of students between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. and during the afternoon pick-up hours between 2 and 3:30 p.m., said Dave Hayward, executive director of public works/city engineer.
The city also plans to re-stripe pavement on Fairlawn to a three-lane section that will allow northbound turning vehicles to wait in the curb lane without blocking the through lane, Hayward said. In addition, eastbound left turns onto Par 3 Drive from Fairlawn will be prohibited during the morning and afternoon hours.
Richards Principal Darin Sprong along with other school officials met with Hayward Aug. 13 to discuss solutions to the school’s drop-off and pick-up area.
The changes are needed because more children are walking to school after the city completed road improvements along Rocky Ford Road, Sprong said.
Columbus resident Chuck Doup, who lives on Fairlawn Drive just south of the school, welcomed the changes saying traffic around Richards has been an ongoing problem. He said he sees traffic backed up on Par 3 Drive from Fairlawn to the school on a daily basis.
“It has been a hazard for 20 years,” Doup said. “It’s been needed for a long time. I think whatever’s done will be an improvement to whatever we’ve had.”
