The City of Arlington installed a traffic signal behind the school, at the intersection of Webb Ferrel and Collins, a former four-way stop.
“I live far away so I have to leave early, but if I want to make it to school before 7 a.m. and traffic, I have to leave even earlier,” teacher Kim Moreno said. “I think they added the new light because they wanted the intersection to be less congested.”
The traffic light began operating on March 19, following construction which began in January.
“When I first saw them building it, it seemed unnecessary and out of nowhere,” junior Elizabeth Hooker said. ”The area itself is already small and tightly spaced, so the new traffic light and turn lane seems a bit much.”
The lines were often backed up into four different neighborhoods as students and parents waited to get into or out of the school parking lot.
“The new stop light might be an improvement, but it’s hard to tell right now,” Moreno said. “When I was there this morning and waiting at the red light, I felt like it would’ve been faster if I was a four-way stop.”
The previous four-way stop sign required drivers and pedestrians to be aware of whose turn it was to proceed.
“I would have to look at which cars were going next, so I wouldn’t get in the way of the drivers when I used to walk to school,” senior Sebastian Espinosa said. “It was difficult because the drivers were only concerned with leaving early after school, and didn’t consider the walkers.”
New drivers said it was difficult to maintain flow when cars must go through the intersection one at a time.
“I live near the school and arrive around 7 a.m., so there’s not much traffic getting in but when everyone is leaving, there is always a long line,” Hooker said. “I park near my last class so I can get to my car easier and get out quickly before traffic gets slow.”
Students who walk to school will also now have the assistance of a crosswalk button.
“Before the crosswalk button, I wouldn’t say I was afraid to cross the street because we crossed in groups,” Espinosa said. “However, using the button is less time-consuming and gives me more assurance when crossing.”
Although there was no definite catalyst for the new road addition, all stop signals implemented undergo a warrant study performed by traffic engineers who determine if the traffic signal is needed.
“I can see how it can help school traffic because leaving yesterday was fairly quicker,” Hooker said. “Though I’m not entirely sure since it’s only been up for a day.”
