Traffic change in the vicinity of Seneca’s new school construction

Oconee public schools are making the following announcement about a traffic pattern change in the vicinity of the new middle school construction at Seneca:

“As part of ongoing construction of the new Seneca Middle School, beginning on February 20th, Jamesway Drive will no longer connect Dalton Road to Wells Highway.  The portion of Jamesway Drive connecting to Wells Highway will remain in place as part of the driveway for the new Seneca Middle School.  The portion of Jamesway connecting to Dalton Road will remain and will end in a cul-de-sac after road construction is completed.  The change was requested by the City of Seneca after consultation with the Dalton Bend neighborhood.  Entrance to the Dalton Bend subdivision will be via the entrance on West South 4th Street.  The district has been approached about the need for a traffic light at the intersection of Wells Highway and the future Seneca Middle Driveway.  The district’s architects for the new SMS contracted with a civil engineering firm to have a study completed of the area.  The results of that study include right hand turn lanes at both the main entrance and bus entrance and improvements to the current Jamesway (future SMS driveway) to accommodate buses.  In regards to the traffic light, Mr. Steve Hanvey, Associate Superintendent, said, ‘Each time we build a new building, we work with the SCDOT and our architects to complete a traffic study.  We go with the recommendations since they are the experts and we don’t have control over the roads.  The driveway will only used for buses, deliveries, and a few employees.  After drop off, and during dismissal, the buses will be turning right to go the high school; we won’t have buses turning left.'”