With thousands of students heading back to school on Aug. 24, officials are encouraging parents, students and all area residents to allow extra time for travel, to be patient and to pay close attention to their surroundings, especially during the first couple weeks of school.
“Traffic is most congested during school drop-off and pick-up. We ask that parents and guardians do not park in the designated drop-off areas or in the roadways. Please complete drop-off or pick-up, and move along,” Waukee Police Chief John Quinn said. “We run into back-up and dangerous illegal passing problems when people park in those areas.”
Quinn also notes that it is essential to never block the entrances to school parking lots. Emergency vehicles need to have access to the schools at all times.
The City of Waukee invested $45 million in public improvement projects this year, so there are several traffic changes and closures to note as well.
Navigating Roundabouts
Warrior Lane
The new four-leg roundabout at the intersection of S. Warrior Lane and Ashworth Drive will open by Aug. 20 at the latest. Northview Drive is no longer a through street. With these improvements in place, pedestrians will cross only one lane of traffic at a time before reaching a landing zone, meaning they only need to watch for vehicles coming from one direction at a time. As drivers get used to this intersection, please slow down when approaching, and yield to vehicles and pedestrians. Learn more about navigating roundabout intersections.
Sunrise Drive
A two-lane roundabout was also constructed and opened near Northwest High School, at the intersection of NW Sunrise Drive and NW 6th Street. Drivers are encouraged to slow down when approaching, yield to vehicles and pedestrians, and stay in their designated lanes. Learn more about navigating roundabout intersections.
Street and Lane Closures
Ashworth Road
Ashworth Road, west of Grand Prairie Parkway, is closed for reconstruction through late this fall. The closure includes the intersection of SE Ashworth Road and SE Parkview Crossing Drive. Please use the signed detour on SE L.A. Grant Parkway, SE Westown Parkway and Grand Prairie Parkway to avoid the area.
Work will also begin this fall at the intersection of Ute Avenue and Ashworth Road, which will cause full closures of Ashworth Road.
N. Warrior Lane
The southbound lane on N. Warrior Lane at Hickman Road will be closed until October. Traffic will shift to the southbound turn lane. The sidewalk/trail ramps on all four corners of the intersection will be reconstructed as part of this work, however temporary paths around the work area will be maintained as possible for pedestrians/trail users.
New Traffic Signal
A new traffic signal will be in place at the Timberline School entrance/extra at the intersection of SE L.A. Grant Parkway and SE Esker Ridge Drive prior to or just after the start of the school year.
Subscribe to Street Closures and Construction News Flash items, and visit the Capital Improvement Projects webpage for more project details.
Safe travels. Enjoy the 2021-2022 school year!