The City of Early and Early Police Department recently met with Early ISD officials to discuss traffic in school zones and to have two new stop signs installed on Sudderth Drive.
Early Police Chief David Mercer stated that the installation of the signs at the intersection of Sudderth Drive and Sunrise was an effort to help control traffic and make a safer environment for students crossing the roadways in the school zone.“Some mornings when students are being dropped off, it’s just unbelievable,” stated Mercer. “Parents from all schools are dropping off kids and it is sometimes backed up to the high school.”
Mercer stated that the problem exists mostly for the elementary and middle schools. Placement of the stop signs, according to Mercer, will allow traffic on Sunrise to exit.
“Looking at the area, we came up with several ideas, but felt like the best thing to do is to change the intersection and make it a 3-way stop,” explained Mercer. “It was the easiest and best way we felt to address the problem.”
City of Early Administrator Ken Thomas stated that residents in the area have often complained to officials about speeding issues in the area.
“It’s not just something that will be effective during the school day, the morning drop off and the evening pickups; during the day will cut speeding traffic down because they will have to stop at that location,” said Thomas. “It has become a safety factor; we had to address this safety factor.”
The signs were installed Wednesday and are currently covered, but will be unveiled and enforced on Monday, August 18th.
“We want to get the word out to everybody so they know the stop signs are there.” said Mercer.
The school for several years has addressed some of the congestion with directing the traffic in one direction into the school parking lot during drop off and pickup times.
What made it easier in the past was that the elementary and middle schools had started about 15 minutes apart, but this year, both schools will begin at the same time.
“Before, one school almost cleared out before the other was coming in,” said Mercer. “The first week (of school) has always been bad.”
Thomas stated that another thing that may add to the congestion is the addition of a new 60 unit apartment complex.
“In January construction of apartments will begin. The Zimmerman project received approval of funding from the Texas Department of Housing,” said Thomas. He explained that the apartments will be built across from the school properties on Sudderth, approximately 200 yards from the intersection of Sunrise. Although there have been studies that determined the addition of the apartments would not impose a large impact to the area, it does add a number of vehicles which will be traveling the roadway. Construction of the complex is expected to take approximately 12 months, according to Thomas.
“We’ve needed more apartments in Early for a long time,” said Thomas. “We’re looking forward to nice apartments which will offer affordable housing to many people in the area.” He explained that although the complex is not HUD housing, it will have 48 units which will be built to HUD guidelines and leasing will be structured according to the Department of Housing based on income (occupants must qualify). The remaining 12 units will be regular apartments which can be rented out to anyone, offering housing for moderate to upper level incomes as well.
Pictured above and below are photos of the newly developed 3-way stop at Sudderth and Sunrise.
A view looking south toward the intersection of Sudderth and Sunrise, showing one of the new stop signs.
A view looking north toward the intersection of Sudderth and Sunrise.
Pictured above is one of the new stop signs on the northbound lane of Sudderth (still covered), just past Meadow Lane.
