September 30, 2008
September 30, 2008
LANSING- Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. today announced that 41 Michigan elementary and middle schools in 10 counties will receive more than $8.7 million in federal "Safe Routes to School" funding. The schools will implement safety improvements and education programs aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles and improve opportunities for students to travel safely between home and school. Eight of the cities with schools receiving the grants are Cities of Promise.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan Fitness Foundation reviewed the grant applications. The 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. 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.
"Children in every community deserve a safe way to get to school, and this funding will help communities across our state provide it," Cherry said. "Here in Detroit, thousands of students will benefit from the hard work of their schools, parents, teachers and community leaders who put these plans together."
"Keeping children safe is the leading concern we hear expressed over and over from residents in the six Detroit neighborhoods where we work," said Ed Egnatios, senior program officer, Skillman Foundation. "This funding will help Detroit and is an important step towards demonstrating the power of residents and youth, schools, city departments and state government officials working together to make these neighborhoods better for children."
The counties, villages, and cities with schools receiving Safe Routes funding are:
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan Fitness Foundation coordinate the program in Michigan, in collaboration with the Michigan departments of Community Health and Education, and several non-profit organizations and universities, including the Skillman Foundation.
"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."
"Safe Routes to School is an international movement to make it safer and more enjoyable to walk or bicycle to school, as well as a common-sense way to increase physical activity and strengthen neighborhoods," said Marilyn Lieber, president and CEO of the Michigan Fitness Foundation. "Children are our most precious resource. The Safe Routes to School planning process provides schools with tools to identify barriers and work with community partners to make it safer for students to walk or bicycle to school."
Funding for schools was established by Congress under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users of 2005 (SAFETEA-LU). Safe Routes funding is 100 percent federal, with no local match required.
To be eligible for the funding, schools completed a "Handbook Planning Process," which resulted in an action plan tailored to meet the specific needs of the school. MDOT, with help from the Michigan Fitness Foundation, structured the program to make the handbook planning process available to every elementary and middle school in the state. The handbook helps school communities identify local obstacles to walking and biking and to determine which steps to take to eliminate or minimize them. Safe Routes funding may then be sought to address some of the items identified in the action plan.
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
The following projects were awarded funding on September 30, 2008 for "Safe Routes To Schools" programs for the 2008-2009 school year. The award-winners are listed alphabetically by county:
Calvin Britain Elementary School will make sidewalk and crosswalk improvements on Britain Avenue; reconfigure the school parking lot to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists; add bicycle racks and a school safety patrol. The project budget is $480,449.
Seely McCord Elementary School will reconfigure the school parking lot to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, and create bicycle lanes on McCord Street. The project budget is $440,948.
Roosevelt Elementary School will improve sidewalks and crosswalks on Roosevelt, John Beers, and El Dorado roads; construct a 10-foot non-motorized path on Roosevelt Road; install bicycle racks and a safety trail at the school; and introduce school-based education and encouragement activities. The project budget is $306,708.
Watervliet South Elementary School, Watervliet North Elementary School, and Watervliet Middle School will construct sidewalks on Baldwin Avenue, Forest Park Avenue, Lucinda Lane and West Parsons Street; repair sidewalks on Pleasant Street; improve crosswalk pavement markings and signage; and introduce pedestrian safety programs. The project budget is $97,846.
Williams Elementary School 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 will improve sidewalks on Riverbend Drive and Belsay Road, and introducing a "Walk to School Day" program. The project budget is $70,075.
Galesburg-Augusta Intermediate School and Galesburg-Augusta Middle School will improve sidewalks and crosswalks on Van Buren, Michigan, Cherry, Lincoln, Cass, Washington, Chestnut and Jackson; construct bump-outs on Michigan for pedestrians; increase law enforcement in the vicinity of the schools; and introduce a school-based "Walk to School" club. The project budget is $168,177.
Cherry Creek Elementary School will improve the school parking lot for pedestrians and bicyclists; construct a multi-use pathway on Gee Drive; update advance warning and crosswalk signage; and introduce activities to encourage walking and biking to school. The project budget is $289,815.
St. Ignace Elementary School will include sidewalk connections between the school property and existing sidewalks on Portage and Spring streets; install two flashing school zone signs on Portage Street; and introduce a "Walk to School" program. The project budget is $62,235.
Ellen Grace Loftis Elementary School will improve sidewalks and crosswalks on Sixth Street and Barney Avenue; enhance pavement and crosswalk markings; install a bicycle rack at the school; increase law enforcement in the vicinity of the school; and introduce a school-based pedestrian safety program. The project budget is $317,387.
Herrington Elementary School will improve signage and pavement markings along Bay Street, Neafie, Dudley and Maurer; install bicycle racks at the school; and introduce school-based education and encouragement programs, including a monthly "Walk to School" day; a frequent rider club, and pedestrian and bicycle safety training. The project budget is $33,579.
Herig Elementary School will improve sidewalks and crosswalks on several streets within a four-block radius of the school; upgrade signage and pavement markings; and introduce a "Walk to School" day program. The project budget is $403,340.
Mayville Elementary School will construct sidewalks, and install enhanced pavement markings and signage on Pine Street. The project budget is $63,000.
Barbour Magnet Middle School will increase law enforcement around the school, and introduce school-based education and encouragement programs, including pedestrian and bicycle safety training and monthly "Walk to School" days. The project budget is $281,605.
HarmsElementary Schoolwill improve sidewalks and crosswalks on Central and Pitt, and introduce school-based education and encouragement programs, including safety training for pedestrians and bicyclists, and a "Walking School Bus" program. The project budget is $360,375.
Maybury Elementary School will improve sidewalks and crosswalks on Porter, McKinstry, Christiancy, and Clark; and introduce school-based education and encouragement programs, including pedestrian safety training and a "Walking School Bus" program. The project budget is $341,731.
Grosse Ile Middle School, Parke Lane Elementary School, and Meridian Elementary School will improve sidewalks on Parke Lane, Burning Bush Road, Berkshire Drive, Meridian Road, Manchester Boulevard, and Grays Drive, and improve connections from school property to existing sidewalks. The project budget is $496,328.
Bridge Academy will improve sidewalks and crosswalks on Norwalk Street and Doremus Street; improve the intersection of Ellery, Evaline and Edwin streets; improve connections between the school property and existing sidewalks; install a speed monitoring display; and introduce school-based education and encouragement activities including pedestrian safety training, monthly workshops for students and parents, and walking clubs. The project budget is $189,640.
Dickinson East Elementary School will improve sidewalks and crosswalk on Edwin Avenue, Norwalk Street, and Doremus Street; improve connections between the school property and existing sidewalks; install a speed monitoring display; and introduce school-based education and encouragement activities, including pedestrian safety training, monthly workshops for students and parents, and walking clubs. The project budget is $148,947.
Frontier International Academy will improve sidewalks and crosswalks on Bromback Street; install a speed monitoring display; and introduce school-based education and encouragement activities, including pedestrian safety training, monthly workshops for students and parents, and walking clubs. The project budget is $117,258.
Hanley International Academy will install a speed monitoring display and improved signage around the school; and introduce school-based education and encouragement activities, including pedestrian safety training, monthly workshops for students and parents, and walking clubs. The project budget is $32,900.
Holbrook Elementary School will improve sidewalks and crosswalks on Grayling Street; improve connections between the school property and existing sidewalks; install a speed monitoring display and a bicycle rack; and introduce school-based education and encouragement activities, including pedestrian safety training, monthly workshops for students and parents, and walking clubs. The project budget is $143,250.
Kosciuszko Middle School will improve sidewalks and crosswalks on Casmere, Burger, Commor, and MacKay streets; improve connections between the school property and existing sidewalks; install a speed monitoring display; and introduce school-based education and encouragement activities, including pedestrian safety training, monthly workshops for students and parents, and walking clubs. The project budget is $335,411.
Barber Focus School will improve sidewalks and crosswalks on East Buena Vista, Woodward, Winona, and John R; increase law enforcement in the vicinity of the school; and introduce school-based education and encouragement programs, including pedestrian safety education and a "Walk to School" club. The project budget is $317,950.
Cortland Academy will improve sidewalks and crosswalks on Cortland, Highland, Second, and Third Streets; increase law enforcement in the vicinity of the school; and introduce school-based education and encouragement programs, including pedestrian safety education and a "Walk to School" club. The project budget is $317,950.
Henry Ford Academy will improve sidewalks and crosswalks on Midland, Pilgrim, Second, and Third streets; increase law enforcement in the vicinity of the school; and introduce school-based education and encouragement programs, including pedestrian safety education and a "Walk to School" club. The project budget is $317,950.
