School traffic study nets four options

By Grace Johnson
news | press

The Nebraska City school board is reviewing options for traffic control at the new Northside Elementary. Olsson Associates recently conducted a traffic study and proposed four different options.

At Monday night’s regular board of education meeting, board members expressed their preference for either of two options using 14th Avenue as a one-way, westbound street during drop-off times.

One plan would have eastbound traffic routed down 13th Street, across 12th Avenue and back up 11th Street to 14th Avenue in order to drop of heading westbound in front of the school.

An alternative plan would require eastbound traffic to turn left into a large parking lot west of the school to drop off their children, and make only right turns when exiting. Westbound traffic would be allowed to use the drop-off lane along 14th Avenue.

Olsson Associates suggested a roundabout on the east end of 14th Avenue as an option that would help reduce traffic speed, but that would cost significantly more than the other options. School Board President Tom Farrell said current estimates put the cost of a roundabout as high as $105,000 to 110,000.

Speed bumps at the east and west end of the block were suggested as a low-cost alternative to a roundabout that would also reduce traffic speed.

The board will continue to work with the city and Facilities Cost Management Group on the traffic control issue. Farrell said the board welcomes public input.