NYSDOT Announces $1.2 Million Walk to School Grants

: By Josh Ribakove; News; | Sep 11, 2008 |

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) announced $1,207,006 in grants for six projects in Central New York to help students walk and bike safely to school and home again.

The intent of the Safe Routes to School program is to enable and encourage children to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle by making bicycling and walking a safer and more appealing transportation alternative. The funds will also help local agencies plan, develop and implement transportation projects that improve safety while reducing traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

NYSDOT Regional Director for Central New York Carl Ford said, “Funding safety improvements that encourage students to walk or bike to school is simply good sense. The Safe Routes to School program helps to protect our most precious resource – our children.”

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said, “This program takes on two big issues for school-aged kids: childhood obesity and school safety. As an avid bike rider and parent, I feel strongly that parents shouldn't have to worry about their child’s safety when allowing them to get some excellent exercise and ride their bike to school. But the sad reality is that transportation systems aren't always designed with pedestrians, especially children, in mind. The federal funding for the Safe Routes to School program will help ensure that kids can get to school safely, while improving their health.”

U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton said, “This funding for the Safe Routes to School Program is a win for New York and for our children. This program will help provide the safer roads and sidewalks we need to continue to encourage children to be more active and health conscious by biking or walking to school. I commend the Governor and the NYSDOT for working on a plan that will not only improve New York's infrastructure and reduce traffic, but also sets our children and families on a path towards a healthier lifestyle.”

Congressman Jim Walsh (R-NY-25) said, “These federal resources will help ensure the safety of students who walk or bike to school. And with rising gas prices forcing some school districts to consider cutting back on bus transportation, we may see an increase in the number of students who travel to school on foot or by bicycle. Their safety is paramount.”

Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY-22) said, “These federal funds will help communities throughout New York make various improvements to sidewalks and street crossings in order to make it easier for students to safely walk and bike to school. I am very pleased that the work we did in Washington is literally paying off here in New York and that these federal funds will spare state and local taxpayers the cost of these much-needed improvements. By making it easier for students to walk and bike to school we are encouraging them at an early age to get into a daily exercise routine, which will benefit them throughout their lives.”

Congressman John M. McHugh (R-NY-23) said: “The Safe Routes to School program provides schoolchildren with a safe, healthy way to get back and forth to school everyday. These federal funds allow communities across New York to make improvements to things like sidewalks or traffic signals and help small communities keep their ‘hometown feel.’ I am strongly supportive of continuing federal support for programs like this, and know that the Village of Sandy Creek in the 23rd District will greatly benefit from this funding.”

Congressman Michael Arcuri (D-NY-24), who is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said “Making sure our children have a safe and easy way to walk or bike to school is a simple win-win – cutting transportations costs for local families and helping kids get exercise. In Congress, I will continue to support initiatives like the Safe Routes to School program to help area communities keep costs down and kids healthy.”

Under this program, which was created by federal law in 2005, funding is made available to each state based upon its population of kindergarten-through-eighth-grade students. NYSDOT administers the program and will reimburse up to 100 percent of eligible project costs for successful applicants up to the award amount. Applicants who were not selected during this round of funding are encouraged to apply again, if the federal program is renewed next year.

In Central New York, the municipalities awarded funding include: