Traffic committee looking at ways to end traffic jams at ABC school

Franklin County’s Traffic Safety Committee is looking at ways to alleviate traffic jams in front of the Apalachicola Bay Charter School. Committee member Bill Mahan told the county commission this week that the group is working on plans to keep traffic flowing especially during pick up and drop off times in the mornings and afternoons. Mahan said traffic gets backed up in front of the school because of the large number of vehicles trying to turn in to the school grounds and because some parents park their cars in the turnaround, blocking vehicles behind them. Mahan said the traffic safety committee is looking at the feasibility of adding a turn lane in front of the school but that will require more planning. Something that can be done more quickly and easily is adding more parking spaces for visitors and staff. Mahan said there is a plan to add 21 more spaces for staff and 30 for visitors. That would require spending a few thousand dollars for wheel stops and installing them. The question they are facing is how to pay for it. The county said it will gladly do whatever work it can, which includes clearing land and placing the wheels stops but they feel the school system will have to pay for any needed materials.