Construction changes school traffic flow

According to a Facebook video on its account, Creston Community Schools Superintendent Deron Stender explained the flow of vehicle traffic between the elementary/middle school and high school campuses because of expansion construction at the elementary/middle school.

What started Monday, Stender said all traffic will enter from Townline Road through the high school to get to the elementary/middle school building for drop off and pick up.

“You will only exit from Academic Avenue to North Lincoln,” he said about the street between the elementary/middle school to North Lincoln Street.

“It will be a single lane because of construction,” Stender said. “Remember, safety first. We will still have lots of activity on campus. Be mindful of school staff, buses and those guiding transportation for safety of children.”

The traffic flow is expected to last until late November. Because of the traffic, the high school will start its day at 8:20 a.m. and dismiss at 3:05 p.m. The first day of school is Friday. The school day schedule for the elementary and middle school will not change.

Parking at the high school will only be in the gated area by the football stadium.

“No more parking in the gravel lot because of the one-way traffic and we do not want to interfere,” he said. Stender suggested people use the gravel lot as a place to pick up children.

The bus barn lot will be closed to traffic because of construction needs.

“At the beginning of the day, all school buses will come to Townline and head north to Academic,” he said. After school dismisses, buses will still leave from the bus barn for student pick up. Parent transportation will follow.

“We let students out early at the high school to get them out of the way,” Stender said. He expects additional law enforcement, school staff and volunteers to direct traffic.

The $19 million early childhood facility addition at the elementary and middle school building has a school move in anticipated in August 2025.