The Morning Traffic Epidemic
Traffic is worse than ever before as the school start time shifts back to 8:00 A.M.
Now more than ever, AHS is feeling the impact of the Roaring Fork Valley traffic crisis. As a down-valley commuter, I can attest to the unfathomable wait times, which have doubled the time it takes to get to school. The new 8:00 a.m. start time has exacerbated the issue, as students and staff compete with the valley’s workforce. Traffic congestion has surged, overlapping with the traditional workday and adding chaos and frustration to our daily routines.
In previous years, the later start time enabled students to avoid the worst of the morning rush. Now, commuters and members of the Aspen School District (ASD) are all leaving simultaneously, creating gridlock along every route. Highway 82 is bombarded with cars, leading to traffic backups at roundabouts, canyons, and lights, especially those near the school. McLain Flats is also heavily congested, leaving no quick alternatives. Commute times have nearly doubled for many, forcing students and staff to spend extra hours on the road. These delays create additional stress that seeps into school life, impacting focus, energy, and motivation.
The single-door entry system at ASD furthers the issue. All cars are forced into one parking lot at the same time, creating havoc.
“The single-door entry system has also worsened the ASD’s traffic issue.” AHS student liaison Colby Vanderra says. “We have three schools’ worth of parents and buses, all entering through the same circle. If the school really wants to make the system that they wanted to instate actually function, they should consider supporting other systems.”
This bottleneck funnels hundreds of cars into a tiny area, turning an already frustrating commute into a chaotic ordeal. As vehicles sit idling, the traffic problem also brings environmental consequences. Idling engines emit pollutants such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, contributing to poor air quality and damaging the valley’s delicate ecological balance. These emissions degrade local air quality and contribute to climate change, threatening the region’s natural beauty and health. To address these issues, alternatives like expanding public transportation, incentivizing carpooling, and reinstating the schools’ staggered start times could help ease congestion, making travel more efficient while minimizing environmental impact.
The mental health impacts of these long commutes are just as significant. Sitting in traffic leads to heightened stress and frustration, leaving students and staff drained before the school day begins. This strain undermines focus and productivity, making it harder to start the day on a positive note.
The district and community must explore various solutions to address this growing problem. Expanding bus routes, incentivizing carpool programs, returning to the old schedule, and revisiting the single-door entry system could help ease congestion. Staggering school start times across the district is another potential fix, reducing the strain on major routes during peak hours.
Until meaningful changes are implemented, the Roaring Fork Valley traffic epidemic will remain a burden for AHS students and staff. Addressing these challenges is essential for improving daily routines, preserving the environment, and fostering a healthier school experience. We must address these challenges to enhance the morning of AHS students, parents, administrators, and teachers.
