There will be limited traffic entrances to the new Junction City High School site at the beginning of the new school year. Board of Education members were updated on the plan Thursday evening by administrators.
Matt Westerhaus, Athletic Director, noted that entrance and exit into the facility by students will require patience and flexibility. "Our recommended route for students and families that are driving in will be to come in off of Rucker Road and then down Blue Jay Way. " Travel down Blue Jay Way to the southeast entrance near the Junction City High School sign.
"This is where we're recommending students and families who are going to be using this route to come in and park and drop off, "said Westerhaus. After using the southeast entrance use the access road and do not park along that road. Students can park in the south lot. There is also a designated drop off area and motorists then depart back out Blue Jay Way to Rucker Road.
Munson Road on the west side of the school is a gravel road that will be open until late September when asphalt construction begins, but it will not be the primary access point for students, staff and parents driving to the facility. It can be used by buses with the drop off point being the northwest entrance to the building. There will be nine law enforcement officers on site to monitor traffic.
Pedestrians east of U.S. 77 and south of K-18 Highway will be eligible for busing. That number totals 986 students, and district officials stress that they do not want students walking on K-18 to the school.
Maps of the JCHS area have been sent to district families. The estimate on the number of students that drive to JCHS was put at approximately 200. As of Wednesday there were 1,467 students enrolled at the school. That number could go higher.
Authorities have determined that reprogramming of traffic lights at U.S. 77 and Rucker Road could also occur to allow a longer period of time to cross the highway. That idea was mentioned by Junction City Police Chief John Lamb.
The first day of classes for students at JCHS will be Aug. 25th.