October 5, 2009 -- Ellen Grace Loftis Elementary School in Muskegon Heights will celebrate the completion of a sidewalk improvement project this Wednesday at 9 a.m., coinciding with National Walk to School Day. The federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program provided grants worth $10.3 million to 51 Michigan schools. The $317,000 project, administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) at Loftis Elementary, included sidewalk and crosswalk improvements on Sixth Street and Barney Avenue, as well as the installation of a bike rack at the school.
"These improvements will benefit not only Michigan schoolchildren, but will result in safer routes for all pedestrians and bikers in these local neighborhoods," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "As an engineer and a parent, I am pleased our department is working closely with parents, teachers, students and neighborhoods to provide nonmotorized transportation improvements between home and school that encourage children to be more physically active."
That same morning, hundreds of Michigan schoolchildren will be joined by parents and other community members by starting their day with an early morning walk to school. Walk to School Day is an international event sponsored by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports, the Michigan Department of Community Health, and MDOT.
"We are always looking for ways to have a positive impact on our students and our community outside the classroom," said Marvin Nash, principal of Loftis Elementary School. "We would like to invite you to walk with us and celebrate Walk to School Day with 49 other states and 36 countries to encourage a more walkable world."
If you would like to learn more information about Michigan's SRTS program, please visit www.saferoutesmichigan.org
MDOT: Working to improve our state roads and bridges.
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