Commuters aren’t the only ones feeling the pain of the closure of a portion of Lake Forrest Drive in Sandy Springs.
The closure forced Fulton County Schools officials to find another bus stop for about a dozen students living along the road.
Patrick Burke, Deputy Superintendent of Operations for Fulton County Schools, said he’s been in touch with city of Sandy Springs officials about the closure. Burke and other Fulton County School officials spoke at an Aug. 9 press conference at Riverwood International Charter School ahead of the first day of school, Aug. 12.
On Aug. 5 the city blocked off Lake Forrest Drive between Lake Summit and Chevaux Court. Contractors hired by the city determined the road is dangerously unstable after multiple rock slides occurred this year.
City Council at its last regular meeting on Aug. 6 declared the road an emergency and endorsed suspending the public bid process to speed up the repairs.
The road is a popular north-south alternative for people avoiding Roswell Road, but children attending Heards Ferry Elementary School live along the road, according to county maps.
Burke said the closure, occurring days before the start of school, will mean that students will have to walk farther to get to the bus stop. Burke did not have information about the exact location where the new bus stop will be located, but said parents have been made aware of its location. He said he knew this much about the new bus stop: it will not be convenient for parents or the bus driver.
“Those parents literally have to walk along the street,” Burke said.
In other news from the press conference, Superintendent Robert Avossa said next year he expects Fulton County Schools to be a step ahead of the competition. Here is a portion of his comments about student achievement: