Longer Third Lane at High School Entrance Requested

The discussed a proposed plan for the revamped entrance to from Richmond Road.

The district  north of the high school entrance, in January for $150,000.

Contractors presented a plan with an “S” shaped driveway that meets Richmond Road farther north than the existing driveway and adds a third lane – for outgoing traffic – as it winds from the parking lot north and east to Richmond Road.

Contractors and administrators wanted to move the driveway's intersection with Richmond Road farther north so it would have green space on each side, said Superintendent Rich Markwardt.

Board members asked the contractor to come back with two alternative plans: one driveway with a longer third lane to help traffic flow, and one driveway that is straight, instead of curved.

The straight driveway may make it easier to design more lanes, but would require the parking lot to be reconfigured because it would enter the parking lot farther north.

The school board decided against installing a retaining pond – which was proposed as an inexpensive decoration for the lot next to the driveway – because of safety concerns.

Instead, the north lot, which cannot be rezoned from residential, will be cleared and landscaped to offer a "window" to the newly renovated high school, said Markwardt.