Progress Takes Root at Fruitland: Traffic Improvement Project Underway

Work is now underway on a major traffic improvement project at Fruitland Elementary. This long-anticipated construction effort, part of the 2024 Capital Levy improvements, is designed to alleviate congestion on Fruitland Avenue and enhance safety for students, families, and the surrounding community. 

Since breaking ground, crews have made significant progress. Trees along the construction zone have been thoughtfully selected and carefully removed to clear the way for improvements including better sightlines and making space for new traffic flow patterns. While some trees had to be removed for safety and visibility, trees are part of what makes Fruitland feel like home. Once construction work is complete, we will reinvest in the campus’ natural beauty by planting trees to show that safety and sustainability go hand in hand. In addition, all existing asphalt and concrete surfaces have been fully demolished, and grading is nearly complete. Once landscaping is refreshed and final design staking is complete, crews will begin laying out new hard surfaces that will shape the campus’s safer, more efficient traffic routes. 

The new layout includes a dedicated bus loop and expands parking areas, both designed to streamline the drop-off and pick-up process while reducing congestion on nearby roads. These upgrades address longstanding traffic concerns and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to student safety and neighborhood livability. 

“Tree removal is never taken lightly. These changes were guided by safety studies and traffic engineering best practices to ensure students can arrive and leave campus more safely each day” said Brady Martin, Executive Director of Construction, Maintenance and Facilities Planning, “As part of the final phase, new landscaping will restore beauty and greenery to the site.” 

We remain grateful to our Fruitland families and nearby residents for their patience and partnership as this work continues. Construction will progress through the summer, and regular updates will be shared to keep the community informed every step of the way. 

Temporary Transportation Changes This Fall  

To support safety during construction, families will notice changes to student transportation beginning this fall. Specifically, all students who do not use a neighborhood bus stop will need to board and depart buses at the Kessler Center. This new satellite location provides a safer and more organized solution as work at the Fruitland site progresses.  

Families who currently drive their students to school will have two transportation options during construction:  

1. Use existing neighborhood bus stop locations  
2. Use the Kessler Center for morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up  

This will help to keep work crews and students safe during construction.   

Plan Ahead and Stay Informed  

These improvements at Fruitland are a key first step toward resolving long-term traffic and safety issues for the neighborhood. The project will take several months to complete, and there may be further temporary adjustments to transportation routines. We encourage all families to stay connected to school and district news throughout the summer and into the 2025-2026 school year.  

Student route details will be made available through the new Stopfinder app or the Home Access Center prior to the start of the school year. For questions about the temporary transportation plan, contact the Transportation Department at (253) 841-8775 or via email at transportation@puyallupsd.org.  

Thank you again for your cooperation and support as we build a safer, more efficient future for Fruitland Elementary.