For the past few months, agitated students have been asking, “What is wrong with Mockingbird?”

However, after close to eight weeks of blockades and detours, the construction catastrophe is still nowhere near completion.

“It’s a pain to drive from my house to school because I have to take the detour,” said student Jean Jordan. “I wish there was a way to get from my house to SMU without driving on Mockingbird or one of its many detours.”

To make matters worse, Dallas Water Utilities will be replacing aged water valves and connections at the intersection of Airline Road and Mockingbird Lane beginning Thursday, Nov. 29. The work will require even more barricading, causing traffic detours for about five days. The work will not affect water service to the campus, but it will disrupt traffic flow in the area.

“I think Dallas Water Utilities should wait to replace pipes until after school is let out for winter break,” suggested senior Lulu Seikaly. “I am not sure how pertinent the situation is, but things would run a lot smoother if they would start construction when school is not in session.”

In addition to facing traffic disruptions, students will also be prohibited from using their cell phones while driving in Highland Park school zones. The ban goes into effect on Dec. 1 and will be in effect during school zone times. It’s believed to be the first restriction on cell phone use while driving in Texas.

Already, drivers have unknowingly been subject to routine observations, after Mockingbird Lane was closed for construction and thousands of cars a day began streaming through school zones on the plethora of detour routes.

The Highland Park Town Council passed the cell phone ban in a unanimous vote during its regular council meeting on Monday. Officials said that within six months, the council expects to revisit the issue, possibly to expand the restriction town-wide.