With the start of school right around the corner, Troy police officers are asking parents taking their children to and from school to be mindful of the traffic routes and adjust their routes based on the continuing construction on Elm Street Road.

The traffic routes from last school year will remain in affect; however, Capt. Danny Barron said parents coming in from the North side of town are being advised to not use Gibbs Street as a cut-off road to get to Charles Henderson High School.

“Traffic will be congested enough with the elementary school and middle school,” Barron said. “We ask that parents continue to go down Three Notch Street, and if they’re on the opposite side of Elm Street, they could come down Swindall Road. Parents should be aware of the detour routes to take at this point.”

Like in years past, Barron said the department is asking for patience from parents during the first two weeks of school while everyone becomes readjusted to the pick-up and drop-off routes.

“Everything will remain the same as last year, but the biggest thing we ask is for the first week or two people be patient with us,” Barron said. “We also ask that parents make sure they leave early enough and give themselves time to get their children to school on time and get themselves to work on time. And, we ask that parents pay special attention to school grossing guards and police officers who are directing traffic.”

Capt. Wayne Floyd said the department would have multiple officers out directing traffic in the mornings as well as in the afternoons.

“WE will have an officer on Gibb and Elm Streets,” Floyd said. “We’ll have another officer at Gibb Street at the entrance of Charles Henderson Middle School, the new entrance. There will be a crossing guard there as well. We’ll also have a minimum of two officers at the entrance of the elementary school.”

Floyd also said that parents and motorists should be cautious of children walking to and from school, especially in the afternoons.

“Be mindful that there are children walking to school,” Floyd said. “There are children using the crossings. Motorists have to stop until the children have cleared the crosswalk. We have a crosswalk at Aster and Gibbs Streets and one in front of the elementary school and one in front of the middle school. We also encourage parents to have children walk and cross the streets in the crosswalks.”

Barron said beyond ensuring parents have enough time to drop their children off at school the mornings is to be safe and drive slowly in school zones.