Back to school means more vehicles on the roadway which leads to more congestion and longer drive times.
“The congestion is often times caused by car riders. It's those parents that want to bring their kids to the first day of school,” Charlottte-Mecklenburg Schools Director Janet Thomas.
However, not all area roads can handle the added traffic.
Thomas said one option is to use the bus.
Added congestion isn't the only issue driver’s face. Construction along roadways near schools is another obstacle.
Ongoing construction projects like the Polk Street bridge replacement in Pineville which has been going on since last school year is expected to have an impact on commuters heading to Pineville Elementary School this year as well.
“We are still on pace to finish up in early October as we intended,” said North Carolina Department of Transportation spokesman Warren Cooksey.
A storm drainage improvement project in Myers Park has caused closures throughout the neighborhood making the ride to Eastover Elementary School confusing.
“We're on target trying to move away from the school to reduce those traffic impacts,” said Storm Water Services’ Alyssa Dodd.
IBM Drive has been closed since June for the extension project near Vance High School and Martin Middle School and will continue throughout the school year.
“IBM Drive will be open and access to Martin Middle School for parents to drop off their children will all be open,” senior project manager Dan Leaver said. “Although the new bridge over Interstate 85 won't be open until closer to the end of the project early next year.”
As with every new school year comes additional stress -- getting used to new routines and longer commutes, but there is one think to keep in mind.
“We ask everybody to be patient there's no rush make safety your first concern,” Thomas said.