Applications Due July 9 for Safe Routes to School Grants
Funding Offered for Transportation Enhancement, Bicycle Facilities
June 30 Hearing Set on Proposed Drinking Water Rule
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Since 2005, the SRTS program has helped communities throughout the nation promote walking and bicycling to school. The goals are to enable and encourage children to walk and bike to school; to make biking and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative; and to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution around schools.
Planning assistance awards go to communities interested in creating a comprehensive SRTS strategy for their schools. The awards fund such tasks as conducting walk/bike audits, analyzing data, and developing recommendations for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects. Completing an SRTS plan is an important criterion in being selected for infrastructure or non infrastructure funding.
Grant-eligible SRTS infrastructure projects include sidewalk improvements; traffic calming and speed reduction improvements; pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements; on-street bicycle facilities; off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities; secure bicycle parking facilities; and traffic diversion improvements near schools.
Eligible non-infrastructure projects include public awareness campaigns; traffic education and enforcement near schools; student sessions on bicycle and pedestrian safety, health, and environment; and funding for training SRTS program volunteers and managers.
Projects costing $25,000 or more that involve construction are eligible for funding, as are non construction projects costing $10,000 or more. A project sponsor must pay for a project and then seek reimbursement from the state. Federal funds will provide up to 100% of project costs.
For more information, contact your Ayres Associates project manager. Details are also available online at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/localgov/aid/saferoutes-applications.htm.
