INDOT provides funding for safer school routes
Comet staff report

Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is asking schools and communities to propose projects and activities that make walking and biking to school safe, simple and enjoyable for Indiana school children.

This is the second year Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funding will be available to local communities. INDOT's aim is to make bicycling and walking to school safe and routine for students in grades kindergarten through eight.

The federally-funded program recognizes traffic congestion, fuel consumption and air pollution near schools, coupled with growing health and childhood obesity concerns, makes walking and biking to school an attractive low-cost way for getting to and from school.

This year INDOT will award about $1.8 million in federal money to support projects that best meet the goals of SRTS.

School principals, school district officials, local transportation agencies and metropolitan planning organizations are encouraged to work together and think about ways to promote walking and biking to school.

Eligible project examples include new sidewalks and crosswalks, speed reduction improvements and educational activities to teach children how to bike and walk to school safely.

Applications for the SRTS program were available on INDOT's Web site, www.ai.org/dot/, as of May 1. Applications will be accepted until June 29.

Indiana Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee will review the applications this summer, and INDOT will announce the awards this fall.

Visit the following sites for more information:

+ Indiana's Safe Routes to Schools Program, www.in.gov/dot/div/programs/s aferoutes/;

+ Federal Safe Routes to School Program, http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/saferoutes/; and

+ National Center for Safe Routes to School, www.saferoutesinfo.org.