PRINCETON — It’s always hard to get back in the groove of early mornings and hitting the books after class, but Mercer Elementary students may find it harder than most to go back to school Tuesday.
The recent rainy weather and complications with underground water lines have left the sidewalks in front of the school in a rocky, muddy shambles. Right now, there is no way for students to approach the main entrance from the Mercer Street sidewalks, where a crossing guard usually stops traffic and escorts them safely on their way to the school.
“The crews had intended to have the portion leading to the steps completed by Tuesday,” Principal Betty Atwood said. “With the rain, they’re just standing there today, so I’m a little concerned about whether it’ll be paved by then.”
The project, coordinated and executed by the West Virginia Division of Highways, was slated to be near completion by the time students once again traveled the high-traffic sidewalks, but District 10 Engineer Tom Camden said a consistently rainy weather pattern and water line complications temporarily stalled the progress. He said crews were in the process of creating a short-term solution that should serve students and parents until the project plans can be finished. It should offer students the use of the main entrance and the crossing guard in her traditional location.
“It’s my understanding that while the sidewalk itself won’t be ready by [Tuesday] that they are in the process of constructing a temporary entrance for the students,” he said.
In the meantime, Atwood asked for parents’ understanding and patience, should they need to find an alternate way into the school.
Both Douglas Street and Honaker Avenue intersect with Mercer Street and run past the school, but Atwood reminded parents that Douglas Street is a one-way street during school hours.
A Meet-the-Teachers session is slated for Monday, and Atwood is hopeful it will offer parents and students a chance to size up the sidewalk situation and plan their courses of action.
— Contact Tammie Toler at ttoler@ptonline.net.
Princeton Times
August 20, 2010
Sidewalks complicate students’ return
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