TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

Phillip A. Haldaman, Director
1180 S. Cass Road
P.O. Box 32, Traverse City, MI 49685
Phone:  231-933-1924 - Fax:  231-933-1931

 

 

 

Providing A Quality Environment For Education


 August 31, 2007

 MEMORANDUM FOR:

  • WJH PARENTS

  • TCAPS DRIVERS

  • WJH STAFF

  • DIRECTOR OF ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, AND SAFETY

  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

  • IN TURN                                              

 FROM: DIR OF TRANSPORTATION

 SUBJECT: WJH Traffic

  1. For many years, the ingress and egress of WJH vehicular traffic has steadily increased in general, as has traffic on W. Silver Lake Road in particular.  This has made exiting our property, particularly to the left onto W. Silver Lake Rd. [after student drop-off or pick-up] a particular challenge during peak times of day.

  1. To help make this a smoother, safer experience, and after receiving validation of this plan from a recent traffic study (dated 30 August 2007), we have instituted some changes to traffic flow on an interim basis to hopefully make turning left a less stressful experience

  1. Effective Tuesday, 4 September 2007 and until further notice, privately owned vehicles entering WJH property via the Main Entrance for student drop-off, who wish to make left hand turns out of the property after student drop-off, will have two options, noted on the reverse of this form.  These changes are also noted with new signage, and road-painted traffic symbols. IMPORTANT: This is also true for student pick-up; parents desiring to make left turns onto Silver Lake after picking up their students, should tell their student(s) to meet them near the Yield sign behind the 9th Grade Wing, to make an easy exit up the ramp to Silver Lake Rd.

  1. Please note that traffic using the traffic light option must veer right at the designated point (at the “Yield” sign), and not venture left, else they will negatively interfere with bus traffic.  As well, it is important to allow any oncoming bus traffic to first clear before initiating a right turn up the ramp to the traffic signal at W. Silver Lake Road. In no case should vehicles ever veer left past this point.

  1. We keenly realize this is not a cure, but a short-term solution to a long-term problem; major re-engineering and reconstruction of campus traffic flow and parking will be needed for a permanent solution.  If a millage renewal initiative this November is successful, we will be in a much better position to allocate resources to remedy this decades old problem once and for all.

  1. Our chief concern here is to help the student transportation experience be a safe one for all concerned; your assistance in observing the traffic notes on the reverse of this page will go a long way in making that a reality.  Thank you, and please drive safely.

PHILLIP A. HALDAMAN,

Director

 

TWO (2) WJH. STUDENT DROP-OFF OPTIONS:

OPTION ONE- FOR DRIVERS WISHING TO EXIT TO THE WEST I LEFT AFTER STUDENT DROP-OFF:

1) Enter the school property via the Main Entrance and MERGE RIGHT.

2) Stay in the RIGHT LANE until you come to the YIELD TO BUSSES sign.

3) Discharge your student(s) at, or immediately before, this point so they may enter school through courtyard on left.

4) Turn right ONLY after any bus traffic has cleared; DO NOT TURN LEFT.

5) Proceed up the ramp to traffic signal; you may initiate a left turn onto Silver Lake Road when prompted on the GREEN SIGNAL, and after opposing traffic (if any), has cleared the intersection.

OPTION TWO-FOR DRIVERS WISHING TO EXIT TO THE EASTI RIGHT AFTER STUDENT DROP-OFF:

1) Enter the school property via the Main Entrance and MERGE LEFT.

2) Stay in the LEFT LANE and follow the white center-line around to the LEFT.

3) Following the arrows around to the right, taking you to the front of the building.

4) Discharge your student(s) in this area, and follow the white pavement arrows around to the exit.

5) Proceed on the exit driveway to the stop sign; make your right turn when completely safe to do so.
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