New roundabout, improved Higby Road, welcome returning school community outside Lewis-Palmer High School
MONUMENT, Colo. (KRDO) — Drivers arriving on the first day back to school at Lewis-Palmer High School in District 38 will notice some changes Tuesday, including a roundabout, a newly repaved road, and a new main entrance into the school.
Crews started a project in late March to rebuild two miles of Higby Road in front of the school, between Jackson Creek Parkway and Harness Road.
The $12.6 million project includes new sidewalks and curbs, improved drainage, and upgrades at the Higby/Jackson Creek intersection.
“It required some redesign of the parking lot, as well,” said Mitch Cassels, the project manager. “Speeding was an issue. You know, there were a lot of backups and traffic concerns going in and out of the school parking lot, as well. Traffic usually would back up on the old road down to Jackson Creek.”
That happened briefly on Tuesday, but Cassels explained that the first day back to school always has the heaviest traffic impacts, and the congestion should decrease as everyone gets used to the new protocol.
The Triview Metropolitan District planned and financed the project through developer contributions and the sale of bonds.
James McGrady, manager of the metro district, said that the area south of the school is growing, with a housing boom underway.
“In the event of a wildfire, this road becomes a very important exit point,” he explained. “And we wanted to make sure it could handle the influx of traffic.”
To meet District 38’s deadline of completing construction outside the school before Tuesday, the contractor called in extra crews and shortened the project timetable by more than half.
Work should be finished in October.
For more information about new drop-off and pickup guidelines at the school, click here.
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