It’s 8:15 a.m. and parents park their cars on the side of Shaw Avenue waiting for the doors to Edward S. Rhodes Elementary School to open so they can let their kids out for another day of school. Buses make their way down the avenue and, by 8:30 a.m., traffic is starting to pick up.

This hustle and bustle caught the attention of Sara Tindall-Woodman, a school committee member representing Ward 1, who brought the traffic concern to Councilwoman Lammis Vargas. Vargas has received multiple emails from constituents about the congestion during school drop off and pick up times and wanted to shed light on the concern by introducing it at the Jan. 13 Public Works committee meeting under new matters before the committee.

At the Jan. 13 meeting, Tindall-Woodman said buses have a difficult time making their way down the street due to the narrow roads and congestion. Cars will also do three point turns, which is dangerous for kids and walkers.

Gina Armstrong, the Edward S. Rhodes Elementary School principal said since the beginning of the school year she has heard parents’ concerns about the street congestion.

“I am definitely in agreement with what would improve the safety for students in our community,” said Armstrong.

At the City Council meeting on Jan. 24, Vargas introduced an ordinance advocating for Shaw Avenue to be a one-way street during pick up and drop off hours. The ordinance will go to the ordinance committee meeting on Feb. 17 where it will be taken under consideration. If approved, the ordinance will go before the City Council during their Feb. 28 meeting. At this meeting, the public will be able to voice their opinions about the ordinance.

In the meantime, Vargas plans on going door to door and talking to residents and letting them know about the ordinance – she has already emailed a few people she knows on the street. She believes in government transparency and says this gives parents and Shaw Avenue residents the opportunity to come to the council meetings and provide input on the situation.

As for what’s in the works, Vargas is looking to have a traffic engineer come and evaluate the traffic patterns in the area.

“My hope is the residents understand the safety of our students and everyone during pickup and drop off time,” Vargas said.

Other Cranston Public Schools have implemented this one-way system in other area’s of the district including Dutemple Elementary School.

One Shaw Avenue resident said he didn’t think having a one-way street during pick up and drop off hours would do much good. While there is congestion, he said the traffic clears up within minutes.

Elisha Liberty, who was dropping her kids off on Friday morning said the congestion clears out quickly, and what the school really needs is a parking lot.