Police to direct school traffic first week

The Maricopa Police Department will direct traffic into and out of Maricopa schools the first week classes are in session to increase safety for students and motorists.

Classes in the Maricopa Unified School District start Monday.

“The first day of school there’s always a lot of traffic in and out of schools,” Maricopa Police Department Officer Pete Torres said. “The high school is the biggest issue.”

At Maricopa High School, when dropping students off, traffic will be directed to enter into the first east-end driveway on Honeycutt Avenue, go west through the parking lot and exit out of the next driveway. Traffic will be then be directed to go out onto Honeycutt Avenue.

Police volunteers will help direct traffic in the parking lot for the entire first week and police officers will be posted at the intersections of Taft and Honeycutt avenues and John Wayne Parkway (State Route 347) and Honeycutt Avenue.

Busses will be dropping off students in the parking lot off of Taft Avenue and head south on Taft then east towards John Wayne Parkway. A police sergeant will be posted on Honeycutt Avenue.

There will be two electronic billboards advising motorists about traffic changes. One will be north of Edwards Avenue on John Wayne Parkway, and another will be between Edwards and Honeycutt avenues.

There will be six Pinal County Sheriff’s Office traffic units posted at elementary and middle schools to guide motorists.

Torres also recommended parents drop off students a little earlier than usual and contact the school directly to ask about drop-off locations.