Kenzie McClain, Staff Writer

    Rumors of a Warrior Center shut down crowded Penn-Trafford at the beginning of December. At the end of Monday Dec. 5, some eighth period teachers put an end to the rumor, reciting an e-mail they received from the PTHS Administration.

    “The Warrior Center will be shut down in the mornings to all traffic. It is unsafe to cross two lanes of moving traffic to get up to the school,” the email stated.

     Principal Tony Aquilio said he believes that the change will take time to adjust to, but will make mornings run more smoothly for all.

    “All of the feedback that we have received from both students and parents agree that it was a safety concern and this method will help keep drivers safe.  However, people in general don’t like change.  It does take a little longer but once drivers get use to the changes and how it affects traffic flow, things will improve.  We are also working with the Penn-Township police so they can adjust how they control traffic entering the campus at the main entrance.  This will also speed up traffic flow entering campus in the morning,” he said.

    Overall, most student drivers seemed unhappy with the change. They said they have to make sure to leave earlier and hope that traffic will not get the best of their time. Traffic has been said to reach back to Dairy Queen on the side that Trafford drives from and Bushy Run Road on the Penn side.

    This change may even affect drivers that are not driving to the school. People that drive to work on that road must also either leave earlier or find a different route.

    Aquilio said driving through two lanes of traffic is extremely unsafe, causing the driver to guess whether the other lane is safe to enter.

    “We have had many dangerous situations, including two accidents, that have occurred when students/parents try to make a left hand turn up the hill crossing two lanes of traffic. The safety of drivers on campus had to be addressed,” Aquilio stated.

    Throughout the time that students have dealt with the new rule, they have formed strong opinions.

    Senior Alyssa Curran said she believes that driving was easier prior to the closure of the center.

    “It was more convenient before they made me sit through three traffic lights,” Curran said.

    Senior Rachel Rupchak agreed: “I already live far from the school. I used to leave at 7 (a.m.) but now I have to adjust to the time change.”

    Though the school was using caution with drivers in attempting to prevent any further incidents, students believe there could be an easier solution to the situation.

    Senior Makenzie Kubeldis said, “We used so much money on this school so why do we have only one exit? That must be a safety hazard. We could at least have a traffic cop down at the Warrior Center directing traffic instead of having one at the top.”

    Students wondered if the center will ever reopen for the morning, but Aquilio said it is unlikely.

     “We will continue to keep it closed in the morning for the remainder of the year.  Community members can still access the lot and stadium by using the 993 entrance.  We also let buses use the thruway after school to keep traffic moving,” Aquilio said.

    In coming years, they may find different ways to maneuver around the issue, but until then, the students will just have to find ways to arrive to school on time.