Husky Trail Renovation’s Impact On Harrison Elementary Discussed
WARSAW — An exciting new renovation to a local road will allow drivers to the YMCA, Martins and the future Parkview Hospital a much easier and pleasant commute. However, for parents picking up or dropping off students at Harrison Elementary, the roadwork could provide a few minor delays. During Tuesday, evenings Warsaw Community School Work Session, board members discussed ways to ensure the construction process does not impede school traffic.
Bill Jones attended the meeting as a representative of the city. Jones, an employee of A-Z Construction, noted the project will run from Mariners Run traveling north up to the bridge. A roundabout will be placed on Mariners Drive, which leads to the entrance for the YMCA and future hospital. The road will be converted to a three-lane roadway with asphalt construction and a designated left turn lane. A 5-foot grass runway will follow most of the road separating the street from sidewalks. On the east side of the road, a 5-foot sidewalk will be placed, the west side will have an 8-foot “trail”, both made from concrete.
In exchange for paying for the movement of the Harrison fence line and moving the school’s sign, the city has requested the donation of a section of land along the street. According to Jones, a fair market value of the land has been conducted equaling approximately $26,800. The price to move the sign and fence for the city would be $22,690 for the fencing and $4,350 for the sign — making the exchange of land and labor nearly equal in expense.
Though the completion of the project will bring improved commute for both those driving and students who wish to walk to school from nearby apartment complexes, the process of putting these roads in place will provide some traffic delays to busses and parent pick up, an already somewhat congested process for Harrison.
WCS Superintendent David Hoffert noted the board has discussed the desire to one day place a second route into Harrison on the back side of the school, which would be utilized to separate parent pick-up and bus pick-up. However, the project is still a longterm goal for the school, with Director of Grounds and Maintenance Dirk Felger leading investigations and budgeting to further this dream.
Former Harrison principal and board member Randy Polston inquired into hiring a crossing guard outside of Harrison during construction to help improve traffic flow, an idea the board noted they will consider.
“There are going to be some minor headaches because there will be rerouting of school traffic,” admitted Hoffert.
The board was presented with further material and plans for the project and a vote will be cast Monday, Nov. 16, at the regular board meeting.