Road projects impact return to school

The first day of school for students at Logansport Community School Corporation is Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018.

With multiple construction projects underway in Logansport, local leaders are reminding people to use extra caution as the school year  begins.

The Market Street Bridge and the 18th Street Bridge are both closed, and many neighborhoods are seeing increased traffic.

Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell says Logansport Police will be relocating the mobile speed limit monitor from Spencer Park to school traffic areas near Franklin Elementary School and Columbia Elementary/Columbia 6th Grade Academy. Kitchell says new crosswalk signs have also been installed at Columbia and Franklin.

“The main thing I would like to stress is for the parents of children walking to school, especially at Franklin and Fairview, to be aware of the potential increase of traffic on the side roads due to the bridge construction,” says Logansport Police Chief Rob Smith. “Kids should be crossing at cross walks and should utilize the crossing guards in both areas. Motorists should be vigilant as they will be using alternate routes of travel that will now include the school zones.”

Franklin Elementary School, located at 410 W. Miami Ave., is making plans to adjust to the increased traffic in front of the school due to the closure of the Market Street Bridge.

Principal Michael Miller says the Logansport Community School Corporation has been working with the City of Logansport to create a designed parent pick-up and drop-off area at Franklin, in addition to the designated bus pick-up and drop-off location.

Beginning Wednesday, August 8, parents should use the designated area on the west side of Franklin Elementary School to pick up and drop off students. There will be one-way access from W. Miami, and drivers should then exit onto Bates Street, which is a one-way street that heads west. Cars will not be permitted to travel south from Bates to Miami.

From 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. and again from 2:30 to 3 p.m., the area at Franklin’s main door will be for bus traffic only.

After 8:15 a.m., Franklin students who are arriving late will need to report to the main office via Door 1.

Franklin Elementary School will have a “Meet the Teacher” night Tuesday, Aug. 7 from 6-7 p.m. where parents will be able to learn more.

Miller expressed his appreciation to the departments who’ve helped the school make the change.

“The City, LMU, the Street Department – we couldn’t have done this without them,” he says.

The Logansport Street Department will be paving 18th Street on Monday, Aug. 6 and Tuesday, Aug. 7, and Fulton Street will be paved later this year.

Cass County Highway Superintendent Jeff Smith says the 18th Street Bridge project is on schedule and is expected to be open by the projected date of Sept. 4.

“The final concrete pours have taken place, and there is a 28-day waiting period from the last concrete pour until the deck can be sealed,” Smith says. “In the meantime, completion of curbing, asphalt approaches, and striping will be taking place during the next month.”

Smith says the county anticipates chip-seal work on county roads getting underway by late August or early September. The department will communicate each day’s roads for chip seal work a day ahead of time so residents and drivers can take note.

Work on the county’s Phase 2 project on CR 400 S is ongoing.

“After a delay due to soil issues, the contractor is back to work and we are hopeful the road will be open to traffic before the height of the fall harvest season arrives,” Smith said.

Local leaders ask everyone to pay attention to updates regarding road projects throughout the area and to use extra caution to ensure a safe school year for all area families.

Information about other upcoming road projects including the 4th and 5th Street two-way conversion and the Melbourne Avenue project can be found on the city’s website at http://www.cityoflogansport.org/multiple-construction-projects-underway-in-logansport/.

SOURCE: News release from Logansport Planning Department