Representatives from the Troy City Schools and the Troy Police Department are working together to alleviate traffic concerns on Gibbs and Elm streets during pick-up and drop-off times.

Troy City Schools Superintendent Dr. Lee Hicks said he was working with Troy Police Department to help alleviate some of the traffic around Troy Elementary School, located on Gibbs Street, and Charles Henderson Middle School, located on the corner of Gibbs and Elm. The newly renovated middle school reopened this year, and part of the renovations calls for rerouting the entrance for traffic to Gibbs Street instead of Elm Street.

“We had a meeting Friday with the police chief, several police captains and one of the lieutenants,” Hicks said. “We discussed what we could do on our end to alleviate some of the issues.”

Chief Jimmy Ennis with the Troy Police Department said the police department was working hard to ensure enough cars were getting on campus during pick-up and drop-off times.

“Cars will back up to the entrance and stay there, so we’re asking people where they’re going, which line they’re getting in,” Ennis said. “Once they tell us, we’re letting them come around, and we’re directing them to where they need to go.”

Although Hicks said there had been a few hiccups with the transition, he said the police department had been instrumental with help.

“We’ve had a few hiccups yesterday, and people spent five extra minutes in traffic, but it’s gotten better,” Hicks said. “The police are really being proactive about it. Everybody is learning something new and it takes time to learn something.”

Hicks also said he asked for patience from both parents and students while the kinks were being worked out of the traffic system.

“Last year we only had one school operational on that road, and now we’re back to full speed,” Hicks said. “We’re going to have good days and bad days. Just be patient, and remember it is a school zone.”

Ennis requested patience, but also said he had noticed that after the first weeks of school a routine is built.

“Over the years, I’ve noticed after a few weeks of school it tends to get better,” Ennis said. “One morning you’ll get there and go right through.”

Police officers are stationed on Elm Street and Gibbs Street near the entrances for the middle school and the two entrances for the elementary school.