August 26, 2010 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) today announced that 14 Michigan elementary and middle schools in eight counties will receive more than $1.8 million in federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funding for safety improvements and education programs. MDOT partners with the Michigan Fitness Foundation to work with schools, communities, students, teachers and parents.
"This is welcome news for schools, neighborhoods and communities," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "With this federal funding, schools can offer educational activities and make infrastructure improvements that encourage students to walk and bicycle safely between home and school and lead healthy, more active lifestyles."
"Safe Routes to School benefits children and communities by encouraging local partners to identify barriers and solutions to walking and bicycling to school," said Candance (Lee) Kokinakis, SRTS Senior Director at the Michigan Fitness Foundation. "Safe and convenient routes to school make it easy for students to get regular physical activity for good health, provide green energy transportation alternatives, and reduce traffic and pollution around schools."
The schools receiving SRTS funding are:
Inland Lakes Elementary School, Tuscarora Township/Indian River, Cheboygan County;
Inland Lakes Middle School, Tuscarora Township/Indian River, Cheboygan County;
Delta Center Elementary School, Grand Ledge, Eaton County;
Discovery Elementary School, Williamston, Ingham County;
Explorer Elementary School, Williamston, Ingham County;
Williamston Middle School, Williamston, Ingham County;
Meadowlawn Elementary School, Kentwood, Kent County;
Velma Matson Upper Elementary School, Newaygo, Newaygo County;
Kempton Elementary School, Saginaw, Saginaw County;
Stone Elementary School, Saginaw, Saginaw County;
Jerome Elementary School, Saginaw, Saginaw County;
Campbell Elementary School, Cass City, Tuscola County;
Cass City Middle School, Cass City, Tuscola County;
Burns School, Detroit, Wayne County.
The following projects are listed by county:
Cheboygan County
Inland Lakes Elementary School and Inland Lakes Middle School, in partnership with Tuscarora Township and the Cheboygan County Road Commission, will implement safety improvements and educational programming. Project components include installing a nonmotorized path along M-68, sidewalks on Wilson Road, and implementing several school-based programs, including pedestrian and bicycle safety education, crossing guard and safety patrol training and materials, a frequent walker and bicyclist program, and a community outreach campaign. The project budget is $160,360.
Eaton County
Delta Center Elementary School, in partnership with Delta Township and the Eaton County Road Commission, will implement safety improvements and educational programming. Project components include installing sidewalks and crosswalks on Canal and Williamsburg roads, installing bicycle racks at the school, and implementing a frequent walker club. The project budget is $163,064.
Ingham County
Discovery Elementary School, Explorer Elementary School and Williamston Middle School, in partnership with the city of Williamston, Williamston Township and the Ingham County Road Commission, will implement safety improvements and educational programming. The project budget is $199,500.
Project components include installing sidewalks on Mitchell Road; installing a nonmotorized path from the intersection of Church Street and Vanneter Road to Discovery and Explorer Elementary schools; creating lighted pedestrian crosswalks at the intersections of Church Street and Vanneter Road, Hiddenview Lane and Vanneter Road, and Mitchell Road and Meadowdale Drive; creating sidewalk connections and other pedestrian improvements near Williamston Middle School; installing bicycle racks at Discovery and Explorer Elementary schools and Williamston Middle School; and implementing several school-based programs, including pedestrian and bicycle safety education, a walking school bus, a "Caught Being Safe" program, a frequent walker and bicyclist club, and a safe driving campaign aimed at parents, high school students and community members.
Kent County
Meadowlawn Elementary School, in partnership with the city of Kentwood, will implement safety improvements and educational programming. Project components include installing sidewalks on Raymond, 48th and Sluyter streets, and Blaine and Mildred avenues; installing lighting on Raymond Street; improving crosswalks at the intersection of 48th Street and Burgis Avenue; and implementing several school-based programs, including a walking school bus and a safe driving campaign aimed at parents. The project budget is $71,135.
Newaygo County
Velma Matson Upper Elementary School, in partnership with the city of Newaygo, will implement safety improvements and educational programming. Project components include installing sidewalks on State, Brooks, Stake, Barton, Washington, Post, Mary and Clay streets and South Park Avenue, and implementing several school-based programs, including pedestrian and bicycle safety education, a frequent walker and bicyclist program, homeowner education and outreach, and developing walking route maps. The project budget is $209,300.
Saginaw County
Jerome Elementary School will implement safety improvements and educational programming. Project components include improving sidewalks and crosswalks on Sweet, Fraser, Division, Moore, Elm and Marquette streets; installing pedestrian countdown signals at the intersection of Fraser and Michigan; installing bicycle racks at the school; and implementing several school-based programs, including pedestrian and bicycle safety education and a walking school bus. The project budget is $317,220.
Kempton Elementary School will implement safety improvements and educational programming. Project components include improving sidewalks and crosswalks on Brenner and State streets and Davenport and Congress avenues, creating sidewalk connections and installing bicycle racks at the school, and implementing several school-based programs, including pedestrian and bicycle safety education and a walking school bus. The project budget is $201,775.
Stone Elementary School will implement safety improvements and educational programming. Project components include improving sidewalks and crosswalks on Davenport Avenue and State, Bond, Stark, Benjamin and Hanchett streets; installing bicycle racks at the school; creating a SRTS display and educational module at the Mid-Michigan Children's Museum; and implementing several school-based programs, including pedestrian and bicycle safety education and a walking school bus. The project budget is $134,940.
Tuscola County
Campbell Elementary School and Cass City Middle School, in partnership with the city of Cass City, will implement safety improvements and educational programming. Project components include installing sidewalks on West, Leach, and Ale streets; installing lighting on Ale Street; and implementing several school-based programs, including a walking school bus, a "Walking Wednesdays" program, and increased police patrols around the school. The project budget is $206,975.
Wayne County
Burns School will implement safety improvements and educational programming. Project components include improving sidewalks and crosswalks on Lyndon, Terry, Intervale, Lauder and Robson streets and Grand River Avenue, and implementing several school-based programs, including pedestrian and personal safety workshops for parents and students, a walking school bus, and a Walking Wednesdays program. The project budget is $231,253.
MDOT's role is to administer the federally legislated SRTS program that creates opportunities for collaboration with agencies and partners not traditionally involved with transportation funding. The SRTS program provides educational programs, infrastructure improvements and encouragement activities to help children to safely walk and bike to school and increase their physical activity. Funding was established by Congress under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users of 2005 (SAFETEA-LU). SRTS funding is 100 percent federal, with no local match required. More information is available at online at: www.saferoutesmichigan.org.
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