(NOTE: The Lazer reported on the state grant of $76,000 for the city to use for pavement last week. Mayor Slone says there will be an extra lane to keep residents from being blocked at school loading and unloading of busses.)
LOUISA, Ky. (WCHS/WVAH) — If you live near a school, you know the frustration of not being able to leave your home at times due to school traffic. One area of Louisa, Kentucky has that problem, but they now have state money to fix it.
Mark Jackson says his wife has a disability that may require an ambulance to respond to their home on Jefferson Street in Louisa at a moment’s notice. However, Jefferson Street is narrow, and two times a day is packed with dozens of vehicles, dropping off and picking up students at nearby Louisa Elementary.
“If there is an emergency and we have to get in with an ambulance or a fire truck come in they couldn’t get through,” said Jackson.
It’s a problem years in the making that has people planning their days around school traffic.
“It’s been really frustrating when we have to go somewhere and we can’t go till the traffic clears,” said Jackson.
“It’s been a long process getting a plan that everyone could agree with,” said Louisa Mayor Harold Slone.
He says a solution is in the near future. The city has state funding to widen Lock Avenue and Water Street around Louisa Elementary to help alleviate some of the school traffic congestion. Mayor Slone says the state approved the plans that take into account student safety and concerns from neighbors.
“We have a route planned out. There will be 2 areas of roadway that is going to have to have some engineering design work because we will be building another lane of road,” said Mayor Slone.
The contract for the project will now go out for bid. Mayor Slone hopes that work on the project can begin by the end of the year.
The price tag for the project is $76,000. Governor Matt Bevin was in Louisa last week to announce the state funding for the work.
WCHS-TV
It’s very frustrating to drive down town when school is letting out, and for the neighbors I couldn’t imagine. That’s why I would never live near a school. This new lane will be so much better for everyone. It doesn’t change my mind about Bevin.
Mayor Slone your “da” man!
Many thanks to Representative Kathy Hinkle for pushing to get this funding through!
you still da man Matt way to go
KAG
It’s no loading of buses it’s parents lining up to pick up theirs kids hour and half early