A number of traffic pattern changes are expected when Andover parents and children return to school on Sept. 6.
Among them, parents and buses traveling to Bancroft Elementary School will be using a newly-constructed extension of West Knoll Road off South Main Street to get to the school. The main entrance to the school of of Bancroft Road is closed to construction vehicles only.
Traffic patterns at West Middle School and neighboring Andover High School also will be drastically changed, with West Middle featuring a new road wrapping around the school for emergency vehicle access, according to acting Plant and Facilities Director Maria Maggio.
Buses en route to Andover High School will now use an entrance to the left of West Middle School to access the high school, Andover High Principal Chris Lord said. Meanwhile, the school’s main entrance - normally restricted to one-way traffic when school opens and dismisses - will become two-way for parents, students and teachers at all times.
Teachers will access their designated parking area by driving around the back of Andover High School to the lot on the far side of the field house, Lord said.
There will be no student parking allowed at the high school on the first day of school because of the state primary elections. Voters will need to use the student parking areas as residents from town precincts 2-6 and 9 cast their ballots at Andover High, according to Town Clerk Larry Murphy.
More on these changes will appear in the Townsman’s annual Back to School section, to be featured next week in the Andover Townsman.
