Rochester's new elementary school project: Groundbreaking, opening date, traffic concerns

ROCHESTER — The new elementary school coming to Salmon Falls Road is expected to break ground this spring and open for the start of the 2025-26 school year if schedules remain on track, according to the Joint Building Committee leading the project.

Project manager Gordon Bristol said he expects all drawings to be complete, and plans to go out for bid by March 1, with returns on the bids slated for March 29-April 10.

The project is expected to be 14 months, with construction slated to begin following a groundbreaking ceremony set for May 6.

"We see .... actual groundwork starting by May 28," said Bristol. "By Sept. 1, the steel should arrive."

Bristol said project leaders will begin buying equipment that can be stored as soon as possible, to help avoid price increases down the road. He said kitchen equipment, classroom and office furniture, and playground equipment are among the items planned for early purchase.

The new school is part of a planned consolidation of Rochester elementary schools. It will replace two current city elementary schools, the School Street School and the already-closed Nancy Loud School, as well as allow for the removal of five modular classrooms at the Chamberlain and William Allen schools.

The Rochester School District proposal was for a $33.6 million school with $20.17 million estimated in state building aid. The balance will come from the city.

Neighbors remain concerned about traffic near new school

Traffic, expected to increase because of the school on a road abutters say is already high traffic/high speed, has always been one of the major concerns of neighbors. A traffic report delivered by Gregg Lukas of Tighe and Bond found the engineering to be sufficient to meet traffic demands, though area residents remained unconvinced.

Lukas said the study included the driveway and loop road areas for the school, as well as to the closest intersection on either side, those being Ida Circle to the north and Whitehall Road to the southeast. He said the addition of turning lanes by the school entrance should help reduce speed on the road. Lukas said that while the posted speed on the road is 30 mph, the study showed average speeds of 49-53.

"The study area can accommodate traffic expected to be generated by the school project," said Lukas during a recent committee meeting. "It will work with existing and future traffic, to include the additional 147 lots slated to be built at Tara Estates."

Several residents disagreed, including Sheila Wilson, a resident of Tara Estates.

"I envision school traffic backed up on the road, and folks racing down Salmon Falls Road rear ending them," said Wilson. "I am concerned with how northbound people will safely turn into the school. How many more cars will be queued in the loop? I think more thought needs to go into this now and not wait until we get there."

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City Councilor Tim Fontneau, a member of the Joint Building Committee, said he lives in the area and shares the concerns.

"What happens if there are 30 cars lined up and an ambulance needs to get to Tara Estates?" he asked. "We need to be sure the turning lanes are adequate."

SAU 54 facilities director David Totty said the traffic plan has been reviewed by the Technical Review Group and was found sufficient.

What we know about the new Rochester school

Initial plans for the new school are for a 68,000-square-foot building for students in grades K-5, with a parking lot for 75 cars. There will be a bus loop to handle 8 to 10 buses, and a loop road for parent drop off and pick up, with an estimate of 275 cars in the morning and after school. Multipurpose playing fields and playgrounds are included in the plan

The school will house about 420 students, ease overcrowding at other schools, and improve educational equity for students, officials said.

According to the proposed design, the first floor will include the library, cafeteria, gymnasium, rooms dedicated to music and art, and special education class space. Classrooms will include natural lighting and materials, flexible space, and state-of-the-art technology.

As the construction date looms closer, the JBC also discussed water, drainage and electrical services. After a discussion about the cost difference based on whether electric utilities were below ground or above ground. The committee voted to keep them underground, even at the higher cost.

"I served on the Planning Board for many years," said Fontneau. "We now require new development to work with underground utilities."

School Board Chair Sarah Harrington said she felt the district should stick to the same requirements as the city. Plus, she pointed out it's better in New England winters.

Totty said safety plans for the new school, created working with Homeland Security, are in place.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester elementary school groundbreaking set on Salmon Falls Road