WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Some schools in Middle Tennessee are already a third of the way done with summer break, which means students will head back to the classroom soon.

In Wilson County, the school district is making some progress on two new elementary schools that will address overcrowding. Officials told News 2 that one of the schools will include some safety improvements on a notoriously dangerous stretch of road.

For years, West Elementary School has dealt with overcrowding in the classroom. 

“Anyone who's involved in the West Elementary community knows that school has been busting at the seams for quite some time," said Bart Barker, public information officer for Wilson County Schools.

By August, some students will be moved to LaGuardo Elementary, which has been under construction for the past year. Barker said not only will it alleviate the overcrowding at West Elementary, but hopefully it will address some traffic headaches on the road.

“It is going to help it out to some degree and LaGuardo will be a part of that it's going to be a domino effect to ease some growth strains that we’ve seen in recent years,” Barker said.  

However, when it comes to moving to the new school that sits off Double Log Cabin Road, that could mean more traffic on State Route 109.   

For years, residents have complained about the notoriously dangerous stretch of the road. In fact, News 2 has reported on multiple crashes in the area. Now, the school district said they are making some safety improvements by adding a stop light.   

“We’ve seen a speed limit modification at 109 and now you’ll have an added light that will be there it's a main vain so to speak in Wilson County,” Barker expressed.

"It's exciting to see us move forward with the 109 red light as visual progress of one step closer to LaGuardo Elementary completion but also as something that residents of the area have long expressed would make them feel safer," wrote Wilson County Board of Education Chair Jamie Farough in a statement to News 2.

Barker added the stop light is a way to get people to and from school safer and something residents have long asked for, especially as more and more people move to Wilson County and enroll into the school district.   

“There are no signs of slowing down. Wilson County is a great place to live, work, and a great place to send your children to school,” Barker said. 

Central Pike Elementary is expected to open its doors next August.   

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/safety-improvement-to-be-added-to-state-route-109-in-wilson-county-amid-construction-of-two-new-schools/