A new Mill Road entrance to BBH’s main campus will undergo construction this spring and summer to alleviate congestion during heavily trafficked school hours. The pathway will stretch near the previous site of Hilton Elementary School, connect two existing roads, and feature a roundabout. This project will be the second initiative in a seven-step master plan assembled by district officials to improve traffic flow, athletic facilities, and campus quality.
According to Cleveland.com, the road will cost the district $2.1 million, about $425,000 less than initial estimates. Platform Cement, Inc., the Mentor-based company responsible for its construction, plans to extend the existing Hilton Elementary School driveway along the tree line and connect it to a current car entrance by the Board of Education. The two streets will meet at a traffic circle, providing an even safer option for travel.
Brian Koss, Facility and Safety Coordinator, details, “The existing Hilton Elementary School driveway, where the traffic signal on Mill Road is located, will be reworked. As the new drive enters the property, it will travel along the south property line and continue up the hill behind the Board of Education. It will then connect to the existing campus drive near the current ‘L’ turn. The ‘L’ turn will be eliminated and replaced with a roundabout.”
Its construction will launch “as soon as the snow melts” and should be finished by July 13, before the 2026-2027 school year commences. Koss mentions the project will involve “significant earthwork” in order to install the new drive, sidewalks, site lighting, stormwater runoff controls, and rerouted sewer infrastructure. These additions are being made with the goal of improving campus flow, navigation, and convenience for the community.
Every drop-off and dismissal showcases Mill Road congestion at its climax, with bus riders and young drivers rushing to enter and exit campus on time. What is normally a short commute can develop into a tedious wait that leaves students overwhelmed, agitated, and late.
“In the morning, it’s miserable. If I don’t leave at 7:10, I don’t get to school until 7:40. It’s a nightmare,” notes sophomore Theodore Schwertfeger IV.
Bryce Lennon, BBHHS junior and young driver, agrees, describing, “I think that all the roads kind of meet in the one spot. There’s not enough ways to get into the school at this point, so it definitely makes a big backup.”
In response, some students have navigated the issue by leaving for school earlier to beat traffic. Freshman Jack Griffin has taken this approach by leaving for school at 7:10 every day, which has, thus far, allowed him to arrive punctually.
However, not all students have the benefit of an older sibling, parent, or guardian who can transport them daily. Freshman Diana Chen explains, “I feel like there’s always a bunch of cars when we get close to the school, so then the bus has to stop. I’m always late to health class.”
Koss adds, “Currently, the main traffic challenges occur during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal when High School and Middle School traffic can back up onto Mill Road. The campus also lacks a clear primary route through the property, which can make navigation confusing for visitors. Additionally, pedestrian pathways beyond the stadium are limited, creating gaps in safe and convenient walking access between facilities.”
In the past, district officials have made numerous attempts to fix congested routes. Such actions include constructing optimal drop-off plans, conducting Mill Road traffic studies, and creating signage for campus. Brad Chase, board member and BBHHS parent, specifies that the most recent traffic iteration composed about five years ago was an attempt made by the district to increase safety and flow. The effects were minimal, as the switch to combined middle and high school buses further amplified congestion.
The new road and Campus Master Plan may be the answer to current travel issues according to some students. Izabella Niemczyk, BBHHS junior, states, “I think it’s a good idea that they’re doing that at least for high schoolers, because it [leads to] less problems.”
Koss agrees, saying, “Currently, both northbound and southbound traffic on Mill Road enter campus through the Board of Education entrance, where drivers have essentially created an unofficial 4-way stop out of courtesy. By adding an additional entrance to campus, southbound traffic from Broadview Heights and Interstate 77 will be able to make a right turn into the Board of Education drive without competing with left turn traffic. At the same time, northbound traffic from Brecksville will be able to make a left turn into the new drive with minimal interference from right turn traffic. Both routes will merge together using the roundabout.”
Others pose concerns about traffic patterns for drivers who make stops at both the middle and high schools. Jordan Welch, BBHHS sophomore, notes that the existing issue with dropping middle school students off in the front lot and traveling to the opposite end of campus by the Board of Education will be further exacerbated by the new drive.
This construction is phase two of the seven-step Campus Master Plan, which envisions an optimal layout for campus and serves as a road map for future projects. None of the details are finalized, and only the demolition of Hilton Elementary School and the new drive have been funded, but with more financial support the district could continue through the next steps. This could possibly entail enhancing the bus-only entrance, designing new artificial turf softball and baseball fields, creating a soccer and lacrosse field, improving the football stadium, renovating the middle school, and much more.
All this and more is discussed on The Leader and the Ledger podcast, hosted by Superintendent Jeff Harrison and Treasurer Craig Yaniglos. Also, details and maps on the Campus Master Plan can be found here.
