Construction will hamper traffic at elementary school

School traffic on Griffin Road near Nancy Smith Elementary School may be a little challenging during the first part of April as new metal utility poles are set into place on the west side of the street.

According to Albany police chief Mike House, the construction will require that traffic be constricted to a single one-way northbound lane on the east side next to the school all the way from Hill (Main) Street to North 10th St. past the bus barn area.

“During the two or three weeks that the contractors will be working near the school, it will be pretty disruptive,” House said. “The side streets from Jacobs all the way to North 10th will be blocked off during the day, and no traffic can enter Griffin Road from those streets.”

All parents and others dropping off students in the mornings and picking them up in the afternoons will need to come from Hill (Main) Street, go through the circle, and exit to the north. All vehicles will proceed all the way past the district’s bus barn and turn right onto North 10th St.

The police chief stressed that there will be no street parking on Griffin Rd. Anyone who walks with their children to the door will need to park in the circle drive.

Elementary principal John Gallagher suggested that parents give themselves a little extra time during the construction.

All students have to come to the front entrance, as all other doors and gates are locked for security purposes, the principal said.

“I think the first day may be a little hectic, but after that, we’ll figure out the best way to handle everything,” Gallagher said.

Part of figuring everything out will be keeping safe those students who walk to and from school and may have to cross Griffin Rd.

House asked parents to talk with their children about staying away from whatever construction is going on that particular day, especially makingsuretheyare aware of overhead lines that are being worked on.

Gallagher said that he and other school personnel will also work to make sure walkingstudentsstaysafe.

Since the construction is running north-south directly to the electrical sub-station below “High SchoolHill,”theremayalso be some brief disruption in that area, House said.

“We just ask that everyone be cautious and patient,” said House. “It will be a pain, but hopefully it won’tlastbutaweekortwo, and we’ll get through it.”

All other traffic should avoid the area during school drop-off and pickup times.