October 14, 2008 -- Lt. Gov. John D. Cherry, Jr. today awarded federal "Safe Routes to School" funding to Williams Elementary School in Flint and Grand Blanc Middle School in Grand Blanc. The Safe Routes to School program encourages parents, teachers, neighborhoods and schools to work together to improve safety for children who walk and bike to school.
"These Safe Routes to Schools grants will help children in Flint and Grand Blanc get to school safely," said Lt. Governor Cherry. "Safe Routes to School are a vital investment in our neighborhoods and Michigan's future, and part of a process that starts with our commitment to early childhood education and proceeds all the way to our goal of doubling the number of college graduates in Michigan."
Schools receiving funding will implement education and encouragement programs during the 2008-09 school year and complete infrastructure work, such as sidewalks and crosswalks, in 2009. Overall Safe Routes to School funding in this round of grants amounts to $8.7 million, to 41 Michigan schools. Williams Elementary School, located in the city of Flint, will improve sidewalks and crosswalks on Iowa, Olive, Leith, Minnesota, Wyoming, Utah, Franklin, Vernon and Cook; install a bicycle rack at the school; and introduce school-based education and encouragement activities, including "Walk to School" days and a "Walking School Bus" program. The project budget is $359,125.
Grand Blanc Middle School, located in the city of Grand Blanc, will improve sidewalks on Riverbend Drive and Belsay Road, and introduce a "Walk to School Day" program. The project budget is $70,075.
"These improvements will not only benefit 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 bring non-motorized transportation improvements between home and school that encourage children to be more physically active."
More information about Michigan's Safe Routes to School Program, the handbook planning process, the action plan, and funding, is available on the Web at: www.saferoutesmichigan.org
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