POTTSTOWN >> There are few places more intimidating to the uninitiated driver than the pick-up and drop-off zones around a local school.
They can also be chaotic and unsafe at times, as much because of the behavior of drivers in a rush as because of students not following the rules of the road.
So the Pottstown School District has decided to change that, essentially by taking away the road for short periods during the morning and afternoon.
Starting Monday, according to announcements on Twitter and on the school district website, the traffic pattern around the school will change.
During drop-off times – 7:15 to 7:45 a.m.; and pick-up times – 2:15 to 2:45 p.m., North Franklin Street will not be a through road.
“We’ll be closing the street so it’s just school traffic only,” said Principal David Todd.
All traffic headed south on the one-way street will be routed around the middle school building in the “car line” unless it turns off Franklin at Nightingale Street.
Additionally, those who used East Street to drop off or pick-up in front of the school building are out of luck too.
Eastbound East Street traffic will be stopped at North Evans Street, as well as at Frys alley between Evans and Franklin for those trying to sneak through.
No pick-ups for drop-offs will be allowed in front of the school or on neighboring streets, according to the announcement.
Pottstown Police officers will be present Monday to assist in acclimating drivers to the new patterns.
“We’ve had a couple of incidents and we just want to make sure the students are safe,” said Todd. “We decided we wanted to make a change before something happened.”
