The first week of school is a busy time of year without adding midway rides, livestock trailers and thousands of Perth Fair visitors to the mix.
But that is exactly the traffic puzzle facing Perth this year, with students returning to class Sept. 2 and the Perth Fair opening the following day for its Sept. 3 to 6 run.
Both Queen Elizabeth Elementary School and St. John Catholic Elementary School are close to the fairgrounds, so the Town of Perth is putting temporary traffic measures in place Thursday, Sept. 3, and Friday, Sept. 4, to keep students, families and fairgoers safe as they navigate the area.
The biggest change will be on Arthur Street between Halton and South streets, which will be closed from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. No public vehicle access or parking will be permitted along that section during the closure.
The timing is designed to allow morning school traffic to clear before Arthur Street closes, while keeping the road free of fair traffic during the school day.
School buses will continue to operate normally, with regular pickup and drop-off unaffected by the closure. Pedestrians will still be able to use the main entrance to the Perth Fairgrounds. Motorists heading to the fair will be able to access on-site parking from Rogers Road, while additional parking will be available at the Conlon Farm Recreation Complex.
There will also be a little extra help on foot. Additional crossing guards will be stationed at Wilson and Halton streets from 3 to 4 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday, when school dismissal and fair traffic are likely to collide.
Parents of Queen Elizabeth students will also see a temporary change to afternoon pickup. On Sept. 3 and 4, students will be picked up at the front of the school on Wilson Street East. The section of Wilson Street East currently under construction will be reopened temporarily to allow access.
Queen Elizabeth and St. John Catholic elementary schools will be providing parents and caregivers with additional information about drop-off locations, school access and walking routes before classes and fair activities overlap.
The unusual situation comes because the school year begins before Labour Day this year, placing two of Perth’s busiest September traditions on the calendar at the same time. The town, both school boards, the Perth & District Agricultural Society and Ontario Provincial Police have been working together on the traffic plan.
Motorists can expect the neighbourhood to be very busy. The town is warning that vehicle and pedestrian traffic will increase around the schools and fairgrounds, with more children expected to be walking to and from school during fair days than in previous years. Motorists are asked to give themselves extra time, obey signs and directions, and use particular caution around intersections, schools and pedestrian routes.
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