Barnesville High School Entrance to Receive Makeover
The entrance drive to Barnesville High School will look different next school year, with the addition of a concrete drive and an updated traffic pattern for buses and cars.
The project focuses on improving and replacing sections of roadway pavement at the high school, according to director of support services John Blattler. Work will be organized into multiple parts, allowing flexibility depending on available funding.
Blattler said the current pavement is deteriorating and added that safety is a factor in the project. Heavy salt use during winter months to keep roads clear for students contributes to the wear on existing surfaces.
The project was bid out in multiple sections or “alternates”. The base bid covers driveway work from the main school entrance at Shamrock Drive to the Aggie Timmons Memorial Gazebo.
“Alternate One” extends from the gazebo to the east end of the gymnasium. The sidewalk in front of the school building will be included in this part of the work. “Alternate Two” focuses on the small approach areas between the two sections of the parking lot located between the school and Shamrock Drive. This work involves creating a new route for traffic flow at the high school.
Presently autos dropping off students approach the school next to the sidewalk. Once students exit vehicles, the driver turns left, looping through the the first parking lot, and exits the main entrance back onto Shamrock Drive. Buses currently travel into the campus to the left of autos with students exiting the buses beyond the point where autos turn into the path of the buses as they depart.
When “Alternate Two” is completed, autos dropping off students will depart the campus from the newer, east drive, known as the slope, located between the two front parking lots and Shamrock Drive.
Blattler indicates this will result in a safer traffic pattern.
Finally, “Alternate Three” will involve sealing all new concrete pavement surfaces.
A key part of the long-term plan is transitioning all existing blacktop at the middle and high school campuses to concrete surfaces.
The worn out blacktop drive surface will soon be replaced with concrete at the Barnesville High School. ©Barnesville Area News Company Photo.
The Barnesville Exempted Village School District recently awarded the work to Rick Bostic of Bostic Concrete at a cost of $282,565.
“I’m very proud to award this job to him,” Blattler said.
Construction is set to begin on June 1 and is expected to be completed before the start of the new school year.
School officials plan to notify parents and students about the new traffic pattern at the beginning of the school year. New signage and assistance will be provided.
“If anyone is interested in talking about the project or viewing the plans, they are more than welcome to call 740-425-3639 or stop by,” Blattler said. His office is located at the Barnesville Schools Central Office, 210 W. Church Street.
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