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Loudon officials discuss one-way and reversal plans to reduce school drop-off congestion
Summary
Selectmen, the road agent and police chief debated making School Street one-way or reversing traffic flow and other steps intended to reduce morning and afternoon congestion around the school.
Loudon officials discussed several traffic changes aimed at reducing congestion at Loudon’s school during arrival and dismissal, including a possible permanent one-way conversion of School Street and a planned test reversal of traffic flow on May 19.
The proposal comes after repeated complaints about cars waiting on School Street during pick-up and drop-off periods. Police Chief Dana Flanders said the school will try reversing the parking-lot flow for the first few days on May 19 with officers on site to assist while staff adapts. Flanders said the objective is to get cars into the school parking lot so fewer vehicles remain on School Street.
Selectmen and Road Agent Russ Pearl discussed a permanent one-way conversion of School Street — from Oak Hill toward the village — to maintain consistent driver expectations rather than a temporary, time-limited one-way. Selectmen noted potential downsides: the one-way would force some neighborhood drivers to detour, and a long backup could reach the Oak Hill intersection. The board also considered using the upper parking lot near the soccer fields for grade‑level pickups and stationing a staff member to move groups across the field at dismissal.
Road Agent Russ Pearl said reopening and maintaining the town-owned road behind the school (referred to as Old Concrete Road / the road to the fields) would be cheaper than building a sidewalk but would require legal and maintenance steps before the town could remove gates or change the road’s status. The board agreed additional review is needed on process, potential liability and timing. Pearl said constructing a permanent sidewalk and keeping two-way traffic could require moving the road away from houses and be more expensive.
Why it matters School traffic affects pedestrian safety, traffic flow on town roads and daily commutes. Officials said any permanent change should minimize confusion and consider bus routing, emergency access and nearby intersections. The board planned further study and possible work sessions with the school and the sheriff’s office to clarify parking, circulation and enforcement.
What’s next The school will test a traffic-flow reversal on May 19 with police support. The board requested more detail and asked Russ Pearl to develop options and an implementation plan, and to return with recommendations on structural changes (one-way designation, parking reconfiguration or reopening and improving the road behind the school) for a future meeting.
