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ODOT targets $3.9 million for Safe Routes to Schools
COLUMBUS (Thursday, April 16, 2009) - With the return of warmer weather, more of Ohio’s elementary and middle school students may choose to walk or bike to school. To make sure those children get to class and home safely, the Ohio Department of Transportation is targeting $3.9 million to 66 communities as part of ODOT’s Safe Routes to School program.
Schools zone can be dangerous: Between 2006 and 2008, Ohio’s school zones were home to more than a 1,000 crashes. In 2008, one person was killed, and 121 people were injured.
This year, ODOT is awarding $3.7 million in federal transportation funds to 13 local communities to build mutli-use paths, bike racks, and sidewalks near schools, as well as improve lighting and signage near school zones.
Another five communities will receive $296,000 to develop educational materials and events or increase law enforcement near schools zones to encourage more students to walk or bike to school.
An additional $756,000 will go to 53 communities to create School Travel Plans, a required outline of how communities will encourage parents and children to travel by means other than a motor vehicle to and from school.
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