Traffic chaos plagues school drop off and pickup times

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed pressing concerns regarding traffic congestion and transit accessibility at the Durham School of the Arts (DSA). With 1,850 students, the majority arrive by car, leading to significant traffic issues in the surrounding neighborhoods and central business district. Currently, only 13 cars can be accommodated on-site during peak drop-off and pick-up times, resulting in overflow traffic on nearby roads, including the Durham Highway.

The meeting highlighted that DSA has the lowest transit ridership among large schools in the area, despite its proximity to the Durham station. Many students commute from the northern and eastern regions of Durham County, facing long travel times to reach the school.

A feasibility study conducted by NEMA in 2021 indicated that a renovation of the DSA campus would require a significant reduction in student enrollment during a proposed seven-year construction phase. The optimal capacity for a performing arts school like DSA is identified as 2,000 students, but current site constraints pose challenges for such an expansion.

Safety concerns were also raised, particularly regarding traffic queuing that spills onto Main Street, creating hazardous conditions for students and parents during drop-off times. The meeting concluded with a request for a fiscal analysis comparing the costs of new construction versus renovation of the existing site, as officials seek solutions to these ongoing issues.