Hempfield schools to move forward with constructing additional access road

School board members are hopeful a new access road could help alleviate traffic congestion at Hempfield Area High School during the morning commute.

The project, approved unanimously by the board Monday, would provide an additional entrance point exclusively for staff members, leading from Route 136 to the student parking lot behind the school.

The road would run through a property adjacent to the school and administration building. The land was purchased by the district last year for $45,000.

“The goal is to take pressure off of Spartan Drive, making it easier for the staff and improving the accessibility for students,” district Business Manager Wayne Wismar said last week. “We do have, potentially, additional students driving and we want to make sure it’s easier for them to get to school on time and without a lot of congestion.”

Wismar added, “There’s an awful lot of traffic, particularly in the mornings, of people trying to get into the high school,” including students, staff and school buses. Right now, there are two access points to the school, one off Route 136 and another along Spartan Drive.

Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said the additional access point would reduce traffic on Spartan Drive, keeping the main entrance for bus traffic during student arrival and dismissals.

According to the approved motion, the project would not exceed $160,290. Board members also approved a motion to hire New Stanton-based Brandon Rumbaugh Solutions for engineering and land surveying services at a cost not exceeding $39,900.

The project was first discussed last September when board members approved the purchase of the property near the school.