Update on Traffic Changes and Improvements at Lowell Elementary School

Dear Lowell Elementary Families and staff,

As we strive to provide a safe and efficient environment for our students, staff, and families, we would like to update you on decisions made around improving traffic flow at and around Lowell Elementary. As you know we have tried three different solutions to alleviate the traffic issue at Lowell and make it safer for everyone. Pilot programs we have implemented have included a bus hub system for families, a right turn only policy, and adding a left turn lane specifically out of the Lowell parking lot. While good efforts, these solutions have not made a big enough difference in the traffic and safety of our families, staff and students. 

Moving forward we will be implementing changes as part of a pilot program resulting from collaboration between the school, the county, and feedback from the public meeting in June. The primary goals of these changes are to improve traffic flow, increase safety, and reduce congestion during drop-off and pick-up times. The pilot program will be in effect through the 2024-25 school year, after which it will be evaluated for its effectiveness and potential adjustments.

The pilot program will implement the following key changes:

• New Drop-off/Pick-up Locations: Parent drop-off/pick-up will be moved to the back school parking lot utilizing Barnes Road, while bus drop-off/pick-up will be relocated to the front school parking lot off of Rice Lake Road.

• School Bus Exit Strategy: School buses will be directed to turn right on to Rice Lake Road when exiting the school driveway to improve traffic flow and safety.

• Updated Lowell Elementary School Directional Signs: New signs with larger text and greater distance to the school driveway will be installed. The northbound sign will be relocated further south and include the distance to the school driveway.

• Vegetation Clearing for Improved Visibility: Brush and vegetation will be cleared along Rice Lake Road and the south side of Barnes Rd (with permission from Aspenwood) to enhance visibility for vehicles stopped on Barnes Road.

Additional ongoing efforts include:

• Intersection Control Evaluation: The intersections at Rice Lake Road and Barnes Road, as well as West Arrowhead Road and Madison Avenue, will be evaluated by St. Louis County and the city of Duluth, respectively, to identify potential improvements.

• Traffic Flow Strategies: Collaboration with Aspenwood and Campus Park to prevent cut-through traffic on Madison Avenue and the Campus Park driveway.

• Rice Lake Road Speed Limit Study: St. Louis County has submitted an application to the Minnesota Department of Transportation to conduct a study determining if adjustments to the speed limit on Rice Lake Road are appropriate.

Bus hubs are still available for immersion families who live outside the Lowell boundaries to utilize and you can expect to see a sign up sheet from Principal Hessler in mid-August. The currently pick up and drop off locations and times are as follows: 

• Laura MacArthur:

  • 6:54 a.m. pick up

  • 2:53 p.m. drop off

• Piedmont:

  • 6:39 a.m. pick up

  • 2:52 p.m. drop off

• Ordean/Congdon:

  • 7:03 a.m. pick up

  • 2:44 p.m. drop off

• Homecroft:

  • 6:49 a.m. pick up

  • 2:40 p.m. drop off

 

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to implement these changes. Your feedback throughout the pilot program is essential and will be taken into consideration during the evaluation process. 

The safety and well being of our students, staff, families and neighbors are of utmost importance. Thank you for your support in making our school community safer and more accessible.