Columbia Public Schools to try solutions to traffic issues as soon as Thursday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Public Schools, the Columbia Police Department and the City of Columbia are all working on a solution to traffic issues seen near some elementary schools, a city official said Wednesday.

Since Monday morning parents dropping off and picking up students have been stuck in traffic. The problem is pronounced outside Mill Creek Elementary School on Nifong Boulevard in south Columbia.

Traffic Engineering Supervisor Jacob Ray said the city has been working with the district to find solutions to the problem near Mill Creek.

"We have been talking with the school district about different options that can be done to try and alleviate that, to keep traffic from backing up through the roundabout," he said.

Ray said the school district is hoping to try some potential solutions as soon as Thursday afternoon, but no date has been confirmed.

The traffic problems that plague streets near schools during drop-off and pick-up times have become worse with COVID-19.

CPS said this week that about 6,000 students are in classes while another 2,000 are learning online. Of those who are in classes, fewer kids are riding buses, at least in part because of the pandemic.

CPD spokesman Jeff Pitts said the department is aware of the issue and is working with the city and the district.

"Parents are asked to not stop in the roadway while picking up their student, there is no further information I have to provide at this time," he said.

CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said every year the district sees traffic issues during the first few days of school.

"This year is also then compounded by our return to in-person learning and parents helping us reduce the number of students on buses thus increasing the car traffic," she said.

Students started the year all-online on Sept. 8 but elementary school buildings reopened Monday. Middle and high schools remain closed.

Beulah Ralph Elementary, Rock Bridge Elementary and Midway Elementary also had some issues the first two days, but the district said that should improve on Thursday and Friday.

Baumstark said a reason for traffic across several schools is parents are lining up too early for pick-up.

"We're working with traffic authorities on how to help manage that. We don't control what happens on the city streets, but we can ask parents to help us by not blocking the roadways," she said.

The roundabout near Mill Creek Elementary School is a single-lane roundabout, but the city plans to expand Nifong Boulevard and turn it into a double lane.

Ray said he is unaware of when the expansion will start.