GORHAM – When school opens this fall, parents and teachers will access Narragansett Elementary School with a new way from Chick Drive, leaving the Main Street entrance exclusively for school buses.

Gorham Public Works Department is expected to start construction of the driveway this week following Planning Board 5-0 approval Monday.

“I believe we can get this done before school starts,” Robert Burns, public works director, told town planners Monday.

The project, costing $50,000, diverts cars from the school’s Main Street (Route 25) driveway used by school buses. Planners approved a new, 22-foot driveway from Chick Drive into school parking lots for teachers, school staff and parents. School buses will continue to use the Main Street access.

Adding the new drive addresses safety concerns at the school, which houses kindergarten through Grade 5.

“Separating the two (cars and buses) is certainly going to help,” Edward Zelmanow, Planning Board chairman, said in Monday’s meeting.

Rob Woodman of DeLuca-Hoffman Associates in South Portland is the project engineer and presented plans Monday to the Planning Board.

The Town Council narrowly approved the project 4-3 (Brenda Caldwell, Matthew Robinson and Michael Phinney opposed) in a special meeting on July 10.

Prior to the council’s vote, a proposal failed to table the item to January, which would have allowed time for a review in a joint meeting with town councilors and the School Committee. James Hager, School Committee chairman, said last week the project was the highest priority in safety concerns at Narragansett School.

“If you want to get it done this year, it’s now or never,” Town Manager David Cole said before the council vote last week.

Work, which will include a sidewalk, will coincide with youth soccer and football practice soon expected to start on fields adjacent to the school. But Burns will work with teams on scheduling issues.

The school’s office is closed but is expected to open on Wednesday, Aug. 15.

Paving, striping and curbing for the project will be contracted, but the Gorham public works crew will handle earthwork. Burns is hoping for a good stretch of weather.

“We’re ready to go,” Burns said following Monday’s meeting.

Woodman of Deluca-Hoffman Associates in South Portland shows the Gorham Planning Board Monday plans to separate car and school bus traffic at Narragansett School.