School zone time extended on East Johnson Street

     The 20 mph school zone speed limit on East Johnson Street south of Holyoke City Park and the elementary school has been extended from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The 20 mph limit during those times is for school days only. Outside of school hours, the speed limit on East Johnson Street is 30 mph. New legible signs have been posted.
     The school zone flashing lights on South Interocean Avenue are set by the State since Highway 385 is a state highway. Holyoke Police Chief Doug Bergstrom noted that the speed limit is 20 mph when the lights are flashing, which is from approximately 7-9 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. Bergstrom said that a request was made to the State to extend the flashing lights to 4:30 p.m. to allow ample time for children to cross after school.
     All streets around both schools are always 20 mph. Bergstrom reminds residents to slow down, stop at crosswalks and be prepared for children to cross the street any time, not only at crosswalks.
     Holyoke School District transportation director Kim Young reminds motorists to be aware of the pick-up and drop-off locations for bus students at both schools. The buses load and unload on East Gordon Street on the north side of the high school for high school and junior high students.
     Elementary school buses unload on East Johnson Street on the south side of the school in the morning. However, in the afternoon, two buses load on South Morlan Avenue on the east side of the school while three load on the south side on East Johnson Street.
     For high school activities, all buses load and unload on East Hale Street on the south side of the high school, while junior high activities load and unload on the north side of the school on East Gordon Street.
     Buses for elementary activities load and unload on East Kellogg Street on the north side of the elementary school.
     Young asks that parents be cautious of the buses while picking up and dropping off their students. Also, always remember to stop behind a bus and when approaching one when its signals are flashing and stop sign is extended.