Last year, New Providence High School implemented a controversial new one-way traffic pattern. One year later, students still feel the new pattern is making them unnecessarily late in the morning.

Many students believe the one-way traffic pattern creates a bottleneck, allowing traffic to build up.

Cris Wenzel, a senior at the high school said: “[The traffic is] awful. I can barely get to school on time.”

Most students have reported they are having to leave their houses earlier in the morning to avoid the traffic. 

Some students have resorted to alternative drop-off/parking spots, such as The Sharing Network or Indigo parking lots, to arrive at school on time and circumvent the changes.  The school has been clear that these are not acceptable options, and a recent police crackdown has left students waiting in traffic or risking a ticket. 

The change was implemented because the old traffic pattern had problems of its own.

NPPD Sgt. Diamond said in a traffic improvement study: “Issues related to traffic flow and lack of parking have been reported in this area as far back as 2018.”

Ultimately, the change was rooted in safety.

Mayor Al Morgan said in a board meeting: “We placed the highest priority on traffic and pedestrian safety.”