Traffic Changes at Mooreland School Spark Safety Concerns
Plans for traffic circulation improvements at Mooreland Elementary School in Carlisle are set to impact adjacent park land, raising safety concerns among local residents. The proposed improvements are part of a comprehensive $14.3 million renovation and expansion project for the school, which includes developing an access road off Mooreland Avenue that will lead to a new staff parking lot and student drop-off area behind the building.
The access road will cut through the northern edge of park land leased by Carlisle Borough from the Carlisle Area School District. While some park space will be lost, the plan aims to preserve existing facilities, including tennis courts and a softball diamond, and maintain space for a borough Soccer Shots program. According to Justin Doty, a civil engineer with Frederick, Seibert & Associates, efforts are being made to retain as much of the park as possible while also addressing necessary stormwater runoff.
The borough learned in spring 2023 that the park land could be affected by the upcoming project. Historically, this land served as the athletic fields for the former Lamberton High School. Currently, the north parking lot is primarily used for faculty parking and van drop-offs, while parents typically pick up and drop off their children in a parking lot just north of the school. School buses line up along Wilson Street during peak arrival and dismissal times.
One of the key objectives of the circulation improvements is to enhance safety by separating different modes of transportation. The design team has proposed that the north parking lot be designated for bus use only, while the new drop-off area will accommodate passenger vehicles. A gated access point between the bus and passenger zones is planned for use solely by emergency responders.
During a recent meeting, Thomas Coolidge, a grandparent of a Mooreland student, raised concerns about the effectiveness of the north parking lot during peak hours. He noted that it is rarely used by parents for drop-off or pick-up, as both sides of Wilson Street and adjacent streets become congested with parked vehicles during school hours. “The area immediately in front of the school is reserved for the buses,” Coolidge stated, highlighting the challenges faced by parents and the need for improved traffic management.
Coolidge also expressed worries about traffic safety on Mooreland Avenue, which he described as a wider road that tends to experience faster vehicle speeds. He recounted organizing neighborhood efforts to install an additional stop sign at the intersection of Mooreland and Wilson following a fatal incident in the area. “September is particularly challenging because Mooreland Avenue sees increased traffic from Dickinson College students who may not be familiar with the area,” he added.
In response to these concerns, Scott Cousin, a senior project manager with Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates, confirmed that the plans would include additional traffic calming measures, such as a stop sign and a raised speed table at the crosswalk to slow down traffic. This project is part of a broader restructuring plan that will see Mooreland and four other schools transition from K-5 to K-3 primary elementary schools.
To accommodate the influx of students, the Mooreland project includes two significant additions. A cafeteria and kitchen addition is proposed to separate gym and cafeteria functions, helping to streamline scheduling across all elementary schools. Additionally, a larger southern addition will connect existing classroom wings around an enclosed courtyard, providing space for a new library, art and music rooms, and four third-grade classrooms, along with areas for small group instruction.
The estimated cost of the Mooreland project encompasses $8.35 million for new construction, $1.9 million for site development, and over $1 million for renovations. Currently, the project is in the design phase, expected to continue through April 2026, with potential bidding beginning in May or June. Construction is projected to take 14 months, starting in July 2026 and concluding in late August 2027.
The ongoing discussions and planning efforts reflect a commitment to enhance the educational environment while addressing community concerns about safety and accessibility.
