KILLEEN, Texas — Many Killeen residents have voiced frustration online over construction on Bunny Trail, saying the work has caused "chaos" in the area, including traffic impacts that cause delays with dropping off and picking up students from school.
The City of Killeen responded to the frustration with a social media post on Aug. 15.
"We’re happy to address our residents!," The City said in the post. "We hear you and we understand the concerns about ongoing road construction along Bunny Trail near school zones, which has the potential to impact traffic, particularly during drop-off and pickup times."
The City said construction times will be altered to "allow school traffic to flow and avoid disrupting or adversely affecting traffic in the open lanes".
According to the City, drop off locations at the middle and elementary schools are still accessible off Bunny Trail. Parents are asked to drop students off at the "KISD-approved, originally designated locations".
Drop offs are not permitted along Bunny Trail, according to the City. The City stated the area parents previously used is private property, and the City's detention pond will no longer be accessible and was "an improper use of the property."
Sidewalks and side streets are reportedly open to pedestrians at all times.
The City of Killeen said it is working with Killeen ISD to provide officer support to direct traffic in the mornings at the beginning of the school year.
"We are committed to completing this construction swiftly and safely," The City stated in the post. "Residents have been asking for this road project for years and we’re excited to begin."
Many residents took to the comments of the post to give their own input on the situation.
"It's not potentially impacting drop off or pick up, it actually impacted it," one person commented. "It's nothing but madness on that road...They dug up half the road and left. Kids are going to be late for school. Let's talk about Chaparral road and how my daughter was on the bus for over a hour because of the traffic there."
Another resident shared a video of traffic stopped bumper-to-bumper in a long line down multiple roads.
Other residents said there was not an officer directing traffic as they dropped their children off, and questioned why the City decided to start the project shortly before the beginning of the school year.
"Why y’all wait till the week before school started to start construction when you had all summer?" One resident commented.
The City responded by saying "Because this project will take a year to complete, it was not possible to avoid an impact to school traffic. Construction projects are based off of funding and contractor availability. Once both are secured, along with other approvals/permits/documentation, then the contractor sets a date to begin work."
It was not stated what alterations would be made to the construction schedule.
The full post can be seen below:
More from 6 News: