Grants available for helping children walk or bike to school

Ohio SRTS Funding Available:

By encouraging and enabling children to use active transportation,
communities can cut costs, offer healthy options and improve the area
surrounding the school.

As part of Governor Strickland’s ongoing commitment to transportation
safety, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is beginning a new
application cycle for its widely-recognized Safe Routes to School (SRTS)
program.

Last year, ODOT awarded nearly $4 million to communities across the state
for school crossing signals, bike/pedestrian facilities, educational
materials and School Travel Plans.

More than a third of youths aged 9 to 15 live within a mile of school, but
less than half of these students walk or bike even one day a week. This is
a lost opportunity for students to get much-needed physical activity and to
learn more about their neighbors and the community.

Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis to eligible applicants who
have ODOT approved School Travel Plans, have developed their SRTS program
and show a demonstrated need for funding to implement portions of the plan.
The program serves students in grades k-8. Applicants may also apply for
funds to develop their School Travel Plan.

There are three types of eligible projects:

1. Infrastructure ‘“ Up to $500,000 per applicant per project;
2. Non infrastructure ‘“ Up to $100,000 per applicant per funding round;
and
3. School Travel Plan Development ‘“ Up to $1,000 per school with a
maximum of 4 schools per applicant per funding cycle considered. ODOT will
provide the engineering services needed to complete the plan development.

Eligible applicants include State, local and non-profit organizations.
Eligible projects include infrastructure projects, such as
bicycle/pedestrian facilities, within 2 miles of K-8 schools and
non-infrastructure projects, such as training, public awareness and traffic
enforcement.

The application cycle is open from September 8 through November 2, 2009.

To view and download applications:
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/ProgramMgt/Projects/SafeRoutes/Pages/default.aspx

Thank You,
Julie Walcoff
Safe Routes to Schools Program Manager
Ohio Department of Transportation
julie.walcoff@dot.state.oh.us
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/ProgramMgt/Projects/SafeRoutes/Pages/default.aspx

Phone: 614.466.3049