Traffic Backups Bother Parents at Pride Elementary

At , the start of the 2011-2012 school year has brought a new start, new students – and a new problem with gridlock.

Cars are backing up for more than a mile during drop-off and dismissal times, according to the St. Petersburg Times.

The school system is blaming the gridlock on the start of the new year – when more parents are likely to drive their children and make sure youngsters are where they need to be before driving away – and an unfinished county road project providing a turn lane near the school. Officials say the problem has nothing to do with Pride having seven fewer bus stops now because of busing cuts by the school district.

“The causes of the gridlock are the unfinished road construction and the first week of school,” district spokeswoman Linda Cobbe told Patch. “There is very little the school can do about it.”

Principal Cindy Land addressed the issue in an automated phone message late last week to parents.

“We had hoped that the county would be finished with the road work beore the start of the school year, but due to inclement weather and other issues, the project has not yet been completed,” she said in the message. “We recognize that the project has caused traffic problems, especially during dropoff time and dismissal time. And we appreciate the patience of our parents and staff.”

Land said the school appreciates the work the county is doing and that the project, when completed, will dramatically improve the situation.

“We expect the project to conclude soon – perhaps as early as next week,” she added.