While the state Division of Highways continues to make repairs in Kanawha County after June's flooding, people driving through school zones in the affected areas can expect new traffic patterns and possible delays once school starts next week.
On Tuesday, Kanawha County Schools transportation officials said they're working with DOH to resolve issues that parents, school bus drivers and others may encounter while trying to get children to and from school.
"What we want to try to do is make it as orderly as possible, coordinating how we offload buses and how our car-riders approach the school," said Keith Vititoe, security director for Kanawha schools.
More students are expected to be dropped off and picked up at Bridge Elementary and Elkview Middle schools.
Brette Fraley, executive director of transportation for Kanawha schools, said repairs on U.S. 119 are expected to be complete Aug. 14, a week after school begins.
They would like to maintain one-way traffic flow when vehicles approach the school and plan to stagger the buses versus car traffic to lower congestion during this time.
Fraley said they expect to have a full plan of these traffic patterns before Friday and will make sure people get the information.
As of Tuesday, they want Bridge Elementary traffic to enter at Coverdale Road from U.S. 119 and turn left onto First Avenue to approach the school.
Though bus route changes are not anticipated in the Clendenin or Elkview area, delays are expected.
To help with directions, Vititoe said electronic message boards may be placed at the two schools to help direct cars approaching the school.
All motorists are asked to be extremely alert and avoid the area if not dropping off children.
To avoid the increase in congestion in the school zones, those heading to work to Charleston on U.S. 119 are asked to take alternative routes.
Zach Hanshaw, webmaster for Kanawha schools, said parents can expect constant updates through social media. He encourages people to like the KCS Facebook page and follow them on Twitter @KCBOE.
Children who are entering preschool and riding the bus for the first time are encouraged to go through an orientation, which will be held Friday at 9 a.m. at the preschools in the Elkview and Kanawha City areas.
At the orientation, children will meet school bus drivers and aides, and go through the procedures and policies about how to ride the school bus. Parents and guardians are expected to go through the procedures with them.
Peggy Stone, transportation supervisor at the Elkview bus terminal, emphasized how important it is for preschool children to be walked to and from their bus stop while holding a parent or guardian's hand.
Children at the orientation will also receive a coloring book, with crayons, centered around the policies of riding the school bus.
Parents should also expect an updated version of the Look it Up system in November. That system helps parents determine the schools a student is eligible to attend and the available bus stops, and provides them with a street map.
Fraley said the new system will provide a more interactive experience with updated maps.
Buses damaged in the flooding will be repaired over the next several months, but that won't affect the bus schedule, Fraley said.
Reach Jennifer Gardner at jennifer.gardner@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5102 or follow @jennc_gardner on Twitter.