Administrators at San Benito High School have designated three
new pick-up and drop-off zones they hope will ease traffic flow,
help keep students safe and prevent parents from illegally
double-parking in front of the school, SBHS Principal Debbie
Padilla said Monday.
Hollister – Administrators at San Benito High School have designated three new pick-up and drop-off zones they hope will ease traffic flow, help keep students safe and prevent parents from illegally double-parking in front of the school, SBHS Principal Debbie Padilla said Monday.
Padilla said many parents double-park while waiting to pick up their children, inadvertently creating an even more perilous situation for students. With increased traffic and decreased visibility, students also dart out between vehicles trying to cross Monterey street before and after school, Padilla said.
“We’ve been working on this all year for the safety of the students,” Padilla said.
The entire block of Monterey Street in front of the high school, from Palmtag Drive to Nash Road, will be closed in the morning (7:20am to 8:55am) and in the afternoon (2:30pm to 3:15pm). During those hours cars will not be allowed to pick-up or drop-off students. Through traffic will be limited to residents of Monterey Street living directly in front of the school, Padilla said.
Students whose first or last class is located in the 200 classrooms will be able to use Bayler Alley, where traffic enters from the Monterey Street side and exits with a right turn onto West Street. Bayler Alley has always been a one-way street, but the rule will be strictly enforced this year, Padilla said.
For students in the 300 classrooms, the pick-up and drop-off zone will be the football field parking lot. In this zone, traffic will enter from San Benito Street in the middle of the parking lot and exit at the south end, next to the football field.
The new campus parking lot, located beyond Powell Street on Nash Road, will serve as a pick-up and drop-off zone for students in the 400 classrooms. Traffic will enter the lot from the west side and exit from the east side.
Padilla said the school will evaluate how well the new plan works and then ask for input from students, parents and community members. Padilla also said the changes will make the beginning of the year arduous.
“The first few weeks will be chaotic,” Padilla said. “But if the zones are used correctly it won’t back up traffic.”
Nearby residents may also benefit from the changes, especially in terms of access to parking in front of their homes. Monterey Street resident Larry Oyler said he welcomed the changes. Traffic was so bad at times traffic that he had to park blocks away.
“We’re thrilled about it,” Oyler said. “I can’t think of anyone who won’t benefit, it’ll be better for the kids and better for us.”
