Traffic near Wing Elementary, Southeast Elementary addressed

SIKESTON — Traffic near Sikeston’s new school, Wing Elementary, will move a little slower when the school year gets underway on Tuesday.

The speed limit has been reduced from 35 to 20 mph during school hours, or 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to ordinance 6149 which was passed by the Sikeston City Council on July 29.

According to city officials, Street Department crew members on Tuesday placed new stop signs on Gen. George E. Day Boulevard at Brunt Boulevard and Pine Street by the new Wing Elementary. This location is now a four-way intersection per ordinance 6147 passed by the City Council on July 29. City workers also placed several warning devices in the area to help motorists become aware of the new change.

During school hours, or 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the school zone speed limit is 20 mph. Otherwise, the normal speed limit is 35 mph, city officials reiterated.

City officials also addressed motorists who will be picking up students from Southeast Elementary. The Council approved Bill 6146 regarding no stopping, standing or parking on certain streets. While Ables Road is a no-parking road and has been for years, Bill 6146 strengthens the already existing city ordinance.

“In order to be great partners with the city and our neighbors, we encourage all of our parents/guardians who plan to pick up their students at Southeast Elementary to wait until dismissal time to drive up to the school building,” city officials said.

Parents/guardians cannot park an hour, 30 minutes, or even 15 minutes leading up to dismissal.

“We want to be mindful of the homeowners along Ables and for the safety of our students and drivers in the neighborhood. While dismissal procedures will stay the same, we ask that all of our parents/guardians abide by the ordinances set forth by our City Council for the safety and well-being of everyone involved,” the City said.

Specifically, Bill 6146 prohibits cars from stopping, standing or parking on Ables Road from Illinois Avenue to Ashley Drive; Brunt Boulevard from South Main to Gen. George E. Day and Gen. George E. Day from South Main to the curve at South Ingram Road.

Currently, student pickup line for parents at Southeast Elementary School extends out of the driveway and continues west along the south curb line of Ables Road to almost Illinois Avenue. During this period of time, the vehicles block private driveways and park close to intersecting streets, Glenn Drive and Cottonwood Drive.

“One of the biggest complaints are from drivers coming to the stop sign on Glenn at Ables Road not being able to see east bound traffic when trying to pull out,” city officials said. “With the addition of Wing Elementary School, it is anticipated that a large number of people will pick up their children from school, thus creating a similar issue.”

The recently approved bill went into effect immediately.