As Mars Area School District prepares to kickoff the 2025-2026 School Year, please note that there have been several changes to the traffic patterns both in and around our school campuses.

MARS AREA HIGH SCHOOL

Route 228 Entrances — The eastern entrance to the Mars Area High School campus along Route 228 (near the cafeteria/auditorium) is OPEN during the road construction on the eastbound lanes of Route 228. (Note: Out of a concern for safety, drivers are discouraged from making a left turn onto Route 228 when exiting the High School campus. Westbound traffic may instead exit the campus via the auditorium exit or the Milky Way access road and use the traffic circle to return to Route 228 to make a left turn.) The western Route 228 entrance (near the tennis courts) remains closed due to the construction.

Three Degree Road Access — The access from the Mars Area High School Auditorium parking lot is now a right-turn-only” exit onto the realigned Three Degree Road. All traffic that is leaving the High School campus via this exit must turn right. Those wishing to return to Route 228 must take Three Degree Road (South) to the new traffic circle at Milky Way.

Three Degree Road Traffic Circle (Roundabout)— A new traffic circle has been installed along Three Degree Road at the Milky Way access road behind Mars Area High School. Milky Way remains the primary entrance to Mars Area High School via Three Degree Road. The District’s asks that all motorists be mindful of additional traffic in this area during school arrival/dismissal times.

PennDOT — How to Navigate Roundabouts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNXRlWgAVOg)

Approaching and Entering:

1. 1. 1. 1. When approaching the roundabout, SLOW DOWN and be prepared to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
         2. Approach the Yield Line, look to the left and check for approaching traffic within the roundabout. CIRCULATING TRAFFIC HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY.
         3. Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in traffic. If necessary, stop at the Yield Line until there is a safe gap in traffic.

Circulating and Exiting the Roundabout:

1. 1. 1. 1. Once you have entered the roundabout, proceed counterclockwise to your exit point. YOU now have the right of way.
         2. As you approach your exit, use your RIGHT TURN SIGNAL.
         3. Watch for pedestrians in the crosswalk and be prepared to yield.
         4. Exit the roundabout.
            
            

MARS AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL

Three Degree Road Entrance — The southern entrance to the Mars Area Middle School campus along Three Degree Road was permanently eliminated as part of the Route 228/Three Degree Road Intersection Project. All traffic entering the campus is encouraged to use the Middle School main driveway along Davidson Road.

Route 228 Entrance — The entrance to Mars Area Middle School along Route 228 remains open to westbound traffic. While the entrance will be open, please note that a gate blocks vehicle access to the school’s main entrance between 8 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.

Southern Gate — The gate near the southeastern corner of Mars Area Middle School’s parking lot remains closed from 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Monday  through Friday (when school is in session). All traffic entering the campus must use the Middle School main driveway along Davidson Road during these hours.

Campus Entrance Gate — A new gate has been installed at the entrance to the Mars Area Middle School campus off Davidson Road. The gate may be closed when school is not in session.

ADDITIONAL CHANGES & REMINDERS

Doc’s Way Access Road (UPDATE) — A new gate has been installed along Doc’s Way just west of the LEFCON Field parking area. Effective with the 2025-2026 School Year, the gate will be open between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. when school is in session. At all other times, the gate will remain closed.

Please be reminded that during afternoon dismissal (2:30 to 4 p.m.), ONLY SCHOOL BUSES are permitted to enter Doc’s Way from Three Degree Road. Access to Mars Area Elementary School and Mars Area Primary Center will remain available via Route 228 at Helenz Way. Parents/guardians, who are exiting the campuses, may use Doc’s Way to get to Three Degree Road.

“Little Dipper“ Gate — A new gate has been installed at the top of the “Little Dipper,” the access road connecting Mars Area Elementary School to the Administration Office/Mars Area Primary Center cafeteria parking lots. The gate may be closed during school events that necessitate the use of the roadway or when school is not in session.

Officer Edward Brooks Drive Gate — The gate at the top of Officer Edward Brooks Drive remains closed during the school day when school is in session. Prior to the start of school, the gate is opened for school bus traffic. Parents/guardians are asked to refrain from using the roadway to access the school. All access to Mars Area Centennial School should be via Davidson Road and Meredith Drive.

Mars Area School District continues to work closely with PennDOT officials to limit impacts to school traffic. In addition, the District is attempting to curb cut-through traffic and to limit access to portions of our school campuses, both during the school day and when school is not in session.

The District appreciates the patience and cooperation of all students, parents/guardians and staff members as we continue to evaluate school traffic patterns.