Nominate a Safe Route to School Project

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has a program to fund improvements for safe ways for school students to walk or bike to school.  They just announced the current round of application and selection.  Anyone in our neighborhood interested?

WSDOT  today issued a “call for projects” for our Safe Routes to School  program.  The goals of the Safe Routes to School grants are to increase the number of children walking and biking to school where it is safe, and if it’s not safe, work to make it safer.  The program supports pedestrian and bicycle safety projects such as walking to school buses, sidewalks, bike lanes, pedestrian safety education, bicycle safety skills classes, crossing guards, speed feedback signs and traffic safety  cameras.  The program itself was created to provide children a safe, healthy alternative to riding the bus or being driven to school.

Eligible  Safe Routes projects are those within two-miles of primary and middle schools (grades K-8), and that address engineering solutions, educational and encouragement programs, and law enforcement efforts.  Review criteria for the applications are also based on project readiness and need or potential impact.

More detailed information about the grant program and the application process is available on WSDOT’s website at www.wsdot.wa.gov/LocalPrograms/SafeRoutes/CallForProjects.  Applications for Safe Routes to School project grants are due to WSDOT on May 4, 2012.

To  learn more about the program, a Safe Routes to School Overview Webinar has been scheduled for March 1st from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m..  To register go to https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/525058344.   For more information, or if you do not have the capacity to participate  on a webinar, please contact Charlotte Claybrooke at 360-705-7302.