PHMS Traffic Back-Up Suggestions

Letter to the Editor
Published: March 13, 2008

To the editor,

When the “new” PHMS was built, I was pleased. It meant my youngest would not have to enter the smelly, leaky old school for classes. While the new PHMS is quite nice and appears to have been well-planned, I am wondering who “planned” the Route 15 entry into the school complex?

On some mornings, between 7:50 and 8:00, it can take three to four light revolutions to be able to turn into the school entry road. There are no sworn or non-sworn law enforcement officers directing traffic.

The back-up and traffic reminds me of my life in Fairfax County - when going one mile can take 15-20 minutes. I live very close to PHMS and it takes 15 minutes to get to school from Route 15.

Why didn’t they leave the old entrance available for right-turn only, put a stop sign at the top of the hill, and make it right-turn only as well? During peak school traffic in the morning and afternoons, making a right-hand turn off Route 15 into the school grounds is a major pain. There needs to be a right-turn lane added or open the old original road for one-way traffic.

Are there plans to fix this problem?

Bethany Sullivan