Authority approves requests to expand school zones on Highland Avenue and near Jefferson Elementary

The Traffic Authority on Sept. 15 approved two school-zone requests: an expansion of an existing state-approved school zone on Highland Avenue to include areas northward that serve Roton Middle School and Brookside Elementary, and a new school-zone proposal near Jefferson Elementary that will lower speeds on portions of nearby streets and a small segment of State Route 1.

TMP staff said the Highland Avenue expansion would add school-zone flashers and potentially speed radar signage and would reduce the speed limit to 20 mph during pickup and drop-off times for the affected schools. For the Jefferson Elementary area, TMP proposed a school zone that would reduce nearby city streets to 20 mph during school periods and reduce a portion of State Route 1 from 30 to 25 mph during those same periods, contingent on state approval where necessary.

Commissioners did not object; the authority voted to approve both submittals. TMP said the measures aim to calm traffic during school arrival and dismissal and that they are following state procedures for official school-zone approvals and installations.