Concord School Board, get creative!
I have supported Rundlett Middle School over the years, both as a parent and as an abutter. I understand the importance of providing a safe environment for our students, staff and families.
I am concerned about a proposed change by the Concord School Board that would send 19 buses, twice each day, along with additional school traffic, through the narrow residential streets of Cypress and Noyes streets. Increasing the volume of traffic with 19 large school buses plus 60 staff vehicles is an accident waiting to happen. The CSB proposes a bus route that puts the majority of safety hazards squarely in the neighborhood
Pushing these buses onto narrow streets without adequate lines of sight as well as sharp turns is dangerous. The current 5 miles per hour speed limit on the school property seems as safe as it gets. The current bus route has a 40+ year history of safety.
The most expensive school project in NH history ($155 million) did not account for neighborhood safety? Here’s the question: The CSB wants sidewalks to be constructed on Cypress and Noyes streets. The cost would be hundreds of thousands of dollars! Why was this cost not included in the original project budget? Who would pay for sidewalks and associated construction costs? You and I of course!
The CSB should use a little imagination and create an on-grounds bus route that does not cost more tax dollars nor jeopardize the safety of the local neighborhoods.