LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Parents have told us about problems with traffic when dropping off and picking up their children starting the first day of school, but neighbors who live near schools are also getting used to what the new school year brings.

For people who live on Speed ​​Avenue near Highland Middle School, the pickup line has been moved from Norris Place to Speed ​​Ave., forcing some neighbors to adjust. Carl and Kathy Pagles, who have lived on the street for more than 10 years, say the increased traffic worries them. Other neighbors said they have the same opinion about speed and crowding during concerts.

“Sometimes it’s just very congested and very nerve-wracking,” said Kathy Pagels. “Especially when a road is not supposed to be four lanes and there’s traffic on both sides and people are trying to drive on it too,”

But the Pagels know what comes with living near a school and said they have a way to counteract the chaos.

“(We) try not to leave the house between 2 and 4 p.m.,” Kathy Pagels said. “I’m glad we’re retired and don’t have to go places where we can follow a schedule, but for those who do, it’s certainly a nightmare.”

One of the Pagels’ neighbors actually experienced this nightmare on the first day of school on Thursday.

“A neighbor of ours says that because of the afternoon release, traffic was very slow all the way from Speed ​​​​to Newburg,” said Carl Pagels. “It took him 40 minutes to get home from work, and it normally takes him 8 minutes.”

Given that the new school year is only two days old, the Pagels are optimistic that the chaos will settle down and everyone will adjust to a new normal.

As for traffic, JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio acknowledged the difficulties of the first day, but seems confident that traffic flow can be improved. Pollio also said some schools did not have school crossing guards on Thursday due to LMPD staffing. Pollio said additional staff should help make things run more smoothly.

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