The orange traffic cones, piles of dirt and construction equipment in front of two Marysville elementary schools have been there for far too long, according to local residents and parents.

Snohomish County broke ground on a road improvement project on 51st Avenue NE, centered on Cascade and Shoultes elementary schools, in July 2009. Signs posted promised completion by "Summer 2009." Best estimates now are for a January 2010 finish.

"The Marysville School District has been working with the county on this project since 2007," capital projects director John Bingham explained to the two dozen people attending the Nov. 23 meeting. "But it's not a school district project, and we have no control over the schedule."

According to the county's project manager, Mo Kashani, the work was designed to improve the safety and traffic flow through intersections at the schools. The $1.5 million price tag was part of a 2006 bond package, and time was running out for its use.

"The original plan at Shoultes called for a 3-way signal and left turn lane," said Kashani, "and the scope has been expanded to include a 4-way signal, sidewalks and a walkable shoulder."

Parents and neighborhood residents understand the need for safety improvements around the schools, but were dissatisfied with the lack of communication from all parties involved.

"Why weren't we notified of the delays?" asked Tiffani Mondares-Riggs, a parent and school volunteer.

She and fellow mom Lori Pietzsch have been donning orange vests and helping direct traffic during dropoff and pickup times at the school since the beginning of the year. The two were worried about students' safety as they tried to navigate around cars and construction barriers.

"We begged Janelle [McFalls, principal at Shoultes Elementary] to let us help," said Mondares-Riggs. "She has been awesome throughout this whole process, and has been out in the trenches with us, umbrella and all."

Some residents complained that construction workers "took off" for several weeks during sunny summer weather, with no work progressing even though the climate was favorable. There were also comments about construction work starting at 5 a.m. on a weekend and dirt piles that obstructed drivers' vision and contributed to accidents. One resident noted, "Three feet of my driveway is just gone," and another was frustrated by parents parking in front of his property and blocking access.

Traffic flow in the area is another big concern for locals. After suggestions from the school district, county engineers rerouted the entry and exit points at Shoultes Elementary, a move that parent Brenda Kovalenko is sure will contribute to major traffic problems along the busy street in the mornings and afternoons.

"Everyone trying to get out of the parking lot will have to stop at the red light, which means no one else can turn in, keeping 51st Ave. blocked," said Kovalenko, pointing to the street diagram on display at the meeting.

Kashani assured the audience that "every car that comes into this intersection will be counted," and for the first few weeks after the signal is turned on, the timing will be closely monitored and adjusted for maximum efficiency.

Representatives from several Snohomish County departments were on hand to answer residents' questions and try to smooth ruffled feathers, but the information they shared seemed to be too little, too late.

"I'm very disappointed, as a taxpayer and as a school parent, with what I've heard here tonight," said Mondares-Riggs.

Bingham pledged that the district would work harder to keep parents informed of the construction progress, adding that the district would be a partner in the county's weekly meetings from now on. In addition to using "kid mail" to alert parents of important news, the district's Web site may be used to post updates.

The area containing the schools is part of the Central Marysville Annexation, and as of January 1, the responsibility for improvements along 51st Ave. NE will transition to the city.