City council to
address concern
of school traffic
along Olive Street


By Jody Norwood
Tribune-Courier News Editor
jnorwood@tribunecourier.com

BENTON – Looking to address a safety issue, the Benton City Council is considering changing the traffic flow along a section of Olive Street. The council recently discussed the possibility of making the street running between Benton schools and the Community Financial Services Bank building one-way during pickup and drop-off hours.

Part of the problem is students crossing traffic to the parking lot behind the old National building, a popular spot for parents looking to avoid waiting in the pickup line.

“You’ve got traffic coming five directions at a four-way stop,” said councilman Tim King. “It’s a crazy place.”

Benton Police Chief Tracy Watwood said he has discussed the safety issue with school officials and parents in the past.

“The morning is not as bad as the afternoon,” Watwood said. “The afternoons are where we have problems.”

Watwood said he would advise implementing the one-way traffic twice daily, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for drop-offs and then 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for pickups. If the council follows Watwood’s recommendation, traffic would flow only in a southbound direction along Olive Street during the recommended hours.

The council discussed adding the issue to their next meeting agenda.

“Now would be the time to do it, before school starts,” King said. If done by ordinance, the city would have to hold two readings prior to implementation. The council’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be July 19, while school begins Aug. 12.