ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of
Transportation today announced the recipients of $4.8 million in federal grants
for Safe Routes to School. The grants
will support Safe Routes to School at 138 schools in 50 communities.
“These projects will help communities increase
opportunities for children to walk and bike to school,” said MnDOT Commissioner
Charlie Zelle. “More students walking and biking means less traffic on the road
and in front of schools, improving safety and promoting healthier kids.”
Schools received grants in two categories:
-
Planning – Funding to complete a Safe Routes to School plan to help
analyze existing conditions, gather public input and identify potential
infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions at K-8 schools. Plans will be
completed by the Regional Development Commission or a planning consultant hired
by MnDOT.
-
Infrastructure – Funding for improving the environment and
infrastructure around the schools such as crosswalks and trails.
MnDOT announced the available grants in December 2013. It
received 85 applications and funded 60 applications. The total amount requested
was $11.3 million.
All Safe Routes to School grants in this solicitation are
federal funds. The infrastructure grant includes a 20 percent local match. Each
infrastructure grant includes a resolution of support from the local governing
body to ensure community support. No local match is required for planning
assistance grants.
Since 2005, MnDOT awarded nearly $15.5 million in federal
funds to communities to support Safe Routes to School. The majority of
funding—$13.1 million—was awarded for infrastructure projects. The remainder
was allocated for non-infrastructure items and activities.
This solicitation used the remaining federal Safe Routes
to School funds. Federal funding for the program is now available through the
new Transportation Alternatives Program. Safe Routes to School projects occur
in all 50 states.
The list of grant recipients is below. More information
is available at www.mndot.gov/saferoutes.
