Students, parents, and commuters in the area of Erie are facing frustrating delays due to an ongoing road construction project.The construction, aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of the roadways surrounding the school, has been met with mixed reactions from the Erie community.

The project, initiated by the Erie Department of Transportation, began in late November and is expected to be completed by the end of December depending on weather conditions. The construction took place on county road 5 going North. 

Erie High School has over 1,500 students and has been at the center of this transportation conundrum. The roadwork,  primarily focused on essential asphalt patching and concrete work to enhance our road infrastructure, has forced lane closures and frequent detours.

“The construction has forced me to leave 20 minutes earlier than usual.” Senior Vinny Pastore expresses about his commute from Vista Ridge. With the construction site being located on a major road that many students drive on daily, it is a crucial part of most of the High Schoolers commutes. This leads to many administrators pushing kids to leave earlier to factor in time for the construction. 

Students and parents of Erie High School have expressed their frustration and concern about the traffic jams that are making it increasingly difficult for them to get to and from school. “I get these detention slips most weeks because I can’t get back from lunch on time.” Sophomore Ashlyn Jolly states in frustration. While construction is often essential for school improvements, the consequences it has on students’ punctuality and academic success cannot be ignored.

As the construction project continues, both the Erie Department of Transportation and Erie High School administration will keep the public informed about developments and any changes to the estimated completion date. In the end, the inconveniences caused by the roadwork are anticipated to result in a safer and more accessible environment for students and the local community.