With summer only a few days left, drivers are reminded to allow more time for their journeys and to drive slower, especially in school zones.
After a quiet summer in Greenwich, with many residents away, expect a significant increase in traffic and the sharing of the road with school buses.
In the Greenwich Public Schools, school classes for students in grades 6 and 9 begin on Thursday, August 29.
The first day of school for all students across the district is Friday, August 30th.
At most private schools in Greenwich, the first day of school is after Labor Day.
GHS discharge
Since Greenwich High School’s half-hour end-of-day flex block is eliminated and all 2,700 students are dismissed at the same time at 2:55 p.m., additional traffic congestion may occur. That being said, about 25% of students stay after school for sports, make-up work, or club meetings.
On WGCH 1490 AM this week, Greenwich Police Chief Heavey discussed changes to traffic patterns to minimize congestion at the end of school, including a proposal to restrict left turns from Entrance 4 onto Hillside Road.
On Thursday morning, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved, 3-0, an amendment to the ordinance submitted by Deputy Chief Kraig Gray. Gray said Chief Heavey worked with school administration and TOG’s engineering department on the proposal.
He pointed out that entrance number 4 is the main entrance/exit for parents and students.
While left turns from Entrance 4 are prohibited at all times, vehicles may continue to turn left onto Hillside Road from the south parking lot at the Theater Wing, the front circle exits, and the exit at Parking Lot 5 in the northernmost part of campus.
“I propose updating the left turn ban to include the GHS parking lot exit onto Hillside Road,” he said.
“Because school rules alone are not enforceable on public streets, an ordinance is needed to ensure that police officers can take appropriate action should a violation occur at this intersection,” Gray said. “This issue has long been a concern for the neighborhood and GHS administration. Over time, they have implemented other policies and practices, none of which have fully addressed the ongoing problem.”
He said vehicles would be diverted to Route 1 to improve traffic flow and distribution.
Start time
There will be no change to the start time of 8:30 a.m., which came into force in 2017 after months of discussions, public hearings and surveys.
Current GHS students and their families may not remember the earlier 7:30 a.m. start time, but in June 2016, the Board of Education approved the changed bell times by a vote of 5 to 3.
Ramp #4 leads from GHS to Hillside Rd. August 27, 2024
Entrance no. 4 at GHS.
In 2016, students campaigned for a later start to classes at GHS. Photo: Leslie Yager
Traffic at the intersection of Hillside Rd and Putnam Ave on the first day of school. August 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
New secure entrance at GHS. August 26, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
New secure entrance vestibule
In addition, GHS has a new secured building entrance. Visitors no longer have to enter through the glass corridor.
On Monday, workers put the finishing touches to the square and numerous new trees and shrubs were planted closer to the road.
A ceremonial opening is planned for next week.
The access road and parking lot in front of the school as well as the northern parking areas have been resurfaced and the parking spaces have been re-marked.
In addition, a section of Hillside Road at the intersection with Route 1 was repaved and new road markings were added.
Driveway and parking lot in front of the GHS repaved and re-marked. August 27, 2024
Radar cameras
In his radio interview on Monday, Chief Heavey urged drivers to be cautious.
He said a request for proposals had been issued for speed cameras near schools. (State Law 23-116 authorizes the city to use speed cameras.) The request for proposals was discussed at an April meeting of the Board of Selectmen, the city’s transportation authority.
Next, Heavey said, a traffic study will soon be initiated that will lead to the selection of the locations of these speed cameras.
The idea of speed cameras came up when the proposal for the new Central Middle School was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Residents complained about CMS speeding on Orchard Street. The issue also came up during a number of DPW input meetings.
Once the speed cameras are installed, there will be a range of fines for violations.
Seniors with parking permit: Assigned parking spaces
Heavey said seniors with parking permits will get assigned parking spots this year. (Teachers will not be given assigned parking spots.)
According to Jonathan Supranowitz, the district’s communications director, there are 261 parking spaces for seniors.
The school website explains parking procedures for students.
Every senior with a valid driver’s license is guaranteed a parking spot for one semester. A lottery is held in the fall and spring for students interested in obtaining a permit.
For Year 11 students who already have a driver’s license, a junior parking space will be available starting in mid-May when most Year 12 students will be doing an internship or project. This permit will be valid until the end of the school year.
Newly paved and re-marked parking lot in the northernmost part of the GHS campus. August 27, 2024
Newly paved and marked parking lot north of the science wing. August 27, 2024
See also:
BOE votes 6-1 to lift Flex Block at GHS starting fall 2024
May 18, 2024
See also:
Greenwich Schools announces cell phone policy
15 August 2024
Mercanti-Anthony: The problem of mobile phones
23 August 2024
State issues guidelines to CT school districts to restrict cell phone use in schools
21 August 2024
