Som Center Road construction will alter fall school travel; district plans communications and alternatives

The Solon Board of Education learned July 14 that reconstruction of Som Center Road will change traffic patterns near several Solon schools and could affect arrival and dismissal plans when classes start this fall. District staff told the board the work will affect the corridor between Linden Road and Ada Road starting immediately and that at least one lane will be out of service through the fall, with the project expected to continue into November or early December. The district said it has built contingency plans for two possible phasing scenarios — one in which the southbound lane remains closed through late August and then shifts, and another in which the southbound configuration remains in place for a longer period — but will wait for clear confirmation from the city and the Ohio Department of Transportation before notifying families. District officials said early-August communications to families will include maps showing revised traffic flows and pick-up/drop-off plans. Staff described specific changes under consideration: more parent drop-off (instead of biking), reallocation of crossing-guard deployments, routing changes for buses, and maintained crossings at key intersections near Parkside, Orchard, Solon Middle School and the high school. Why it matters: the construction zone borders several school facilities and could create new safety and circulation issues for students who walk, bike, drive or ride district buses. The district said it aims to reduce disruption by coordinating with the construction contractor, the city and ODOT, and by publishing final maps to families as soon as those agencies confirm routing. What the board was told: district staff said the contractor requested use of district property for staging, and that lane closures are scheduled in phases that are still being finalized. The presenter said, "From now until approximately August 26, it's southbound only," but also noted the city and state have not yet agreed on the full schedule and that the district has prepared scenarios for both outcomes. Staff named Lisa, Tammy, Mike and Jason Bender as staff working on routing and traffic plans and said they would be monitoring the intersections and adjusting crossing-guard assignments if needed. Operational details and cautions: the district discouraged biking to school for students whose routes would require crossing Som Center Road, recommended families consider bus service where available, and said crossings at existing intersections would remain functional throughout the project. District staff emphasized that traffic volumes will likely slow because of lane restrictions, but that parent drop-off activity could increase. The district said it will evaluate whether to reassign or add crossing guards based on observed need at the start of the school year. Next steps: staff said they will finalize and distribute detailed maps and instructions in early August once the city and ODOT confirm the contractor's phasing plan, and the superintendent's office will present an updated plan at the next board meeting if needed.