Students in instructor Tim King’s carpentry and construction shop class at Charleston High School recently jumped at the opportunity to help the city better control one-way traffic on Gay Street adjacent to Charleston Elementary School.
School Resource Officer Jerry “Bubba” Williams II asked if the students would be interested in building barricades.
The area of Gay Street adjacent to the elementary school is open for westbound traffic only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., and from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., but some motorists have not adhered to the one-way signs already posted there.
During these hours, the newly constructed barricades will be placed to block the eastbound lane of traffic in this section of Gay Street. Charleston Mayor Sedrick Smith plans to furnish new signs that will be attached to the bright gold barricades.
“We just want to bring awareness about the one-way traffic during these hours, when elementary students are being dropped off at school and picked up from school at the end of the day,” said King. “At the same time, we’re teaching the shop kids how easy it is to do something great for our town. The students were glad to be able to help our community, especially since our small children are at risk.”
Williams and city police have stepped up patrols and will be writing citations, as necessary, for violators of the one-way law.
IN THE PHOTO: From left, Charleston High School carpentry and construction class students Hunter Campbell, Carlie Campbell and Jeffry Loston cut boards that were used to build traffic barricades for Charleston Elementary School. (Photo by Tim King)
