CLEVELAND, Tenn. - An estimated 10 cars per minute arrive during dismissal period at Hopewell Elementary school, creating congestion every school-day afternoon.
The traffic particularly affects Freewill and Georgetown roads, to the point that Bradley County officials are considering possible solutions.
In a recent meeting, a committee of school officials and county commissioners agreed to research the costs associated with directly connecting the school to Georgetown Road, which forms part of the state Route 60 corridor.
Any such proposals are under time constraints for consideration by state transportation officials, who have stated they are approaching the final stages of planning for a project intended to widen Georgetown Road between the intersection at Freewill Road and the Interstate 75 exit.
"We can't go wrong by pursuing egress on SR 60, just because of the time issue," said school board member Troy Weathers. "We can always back out."
Any solution that involves connecting the school directly to Georgetown Road will require state approval, and also will require the purchase of nearby property owned by Volunteer Energy Cooperative, said members of the committee.
The county school system will first have to provide a traffic study and a traffic count, estimated to cost $6,000 and $2,000, respectively, said Johnny McDaniel, director of Bradley County Schools. The study must be performed by a state-approved engineer, he said.
School board member Chris Turner recommended looking into the possibility of engaging Sandra Knight, who has long served as the county engineer and is currently the road superintendent-elect, for that purpose.
A preliminary traffic count conducted by school administrators reported that nearly 300 cars drop off students at Hopewell Elementary during the morning and 200 cars pick up students in the afternoon.
However, the afternoon congestion is much worse because of the 20-minute dismissal window, as opposed to the 45-minute window for morning drop-offs, McDaniel said.
Property costs are also being researched by the committee.
The adjoining VEC property might have been appraised at $20,000 some years ago, said Bradley County Commissioner Terry Caywood when he reported on the matter to fellow commissioners in late March.
Committee members said the property value could be affected by its narrowness due to a gully that runs through it. Significant groundwork would be needed, they said.
The panel also is considering the feasibility of adding a traffic loop on school property that would increase the stacking capacity.
"I don't think it will solve the problem," said Caywood, stating that such a measure would still put exiting traffic right back on Freewill Road, where it will continue to mix with the school's incoming traffic.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.