The Arizona Department of Transportation has awarded $1 million in Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funds in its second round of funding.
Earlier this year the ADOT Safe Routes to School Program awarded approx. $35,000 through its Planning Assistance Program. This program provides assistance to in-need communities that desire to become engaged in SRTS programs & projects. This effort also includes grant writing assistance that enables the recipients to compete for SRTS funds in support of recommended programs & projects.
The program was created by the U.S. Congress to make it safer & easier for elementary & middle school students to walk & bicycle to school in an effort to counteract the epidemic of obesity & diabetes in the Unites States. Barriers to walking & bicycling can include busy streets, neighborhoods with poor connections to schools, & large schools that are distant from residential neighborhoods.
Since the 1960s childhood obesity has quadrupled. A contributing factor is the general decline in physical activity. Some health experts are predicting that the lifespan of many children will be less than their parents due to weight-related diseases.
The awards were made to 13 of the 38 eligible applicants throughout the state. $700,000 was awarded for infrastructure projects & $294,500 for non-infrastructure projects. Recipients include:
· Town of Gilbert: Installation of raised crosswalks, sidewalks & ramps; development of a community partnership program; funding of workshops.
· City of Avondale: Installation of sidewalks, bicycle lanes, in-pavement lighting, speed tables, & driver feedback signs.
· City of Phoenix: Installation of sidewalks adjacent to the streets near Mitchell Elementary School in the Isaac School District.
· Maricopa County Department of Public Health: Provision of education, bicycle & pedestrian safety training, & resources to schools.
· Town of Florence/ADOT: Funding of classes on healthy transportation choices & bicycle safety.
· Banner Children’s Hospital: Presentation of courses on pedestrian & bicycle safety; Bicycle rodeos.
· City of Peoria: Organization of events for International Walk to School Day & throughout the school year.
· St. David Unified School District: Organization of walking & bicycling activities, events & competitions throughout the district; funding for Community Health & Safety Day.
· Yuma Elementary School District: Funding for a full-time SRTS coordinator to carry out bicycle & pedestrian activities & bike rodeos.
· University of Arizona/Santa Cruz County: Funding for a part-time School Wellness Coordinator position in order to implement a district-wide SRTS initiative.
· Prescott Alternative Transportation: Organization of Walk to School Day events; facilitation of bicycle rodeos; hosting neighborhood safety forums.
Included in the non-infrastructure awards is $15,000 through the Materials & Regional Support Program, which is aimed at applicants who focus on regional rather than single-school projects.
Beginning in September 2008, ADOT will make available to eligible applicants an additional $2.5 million for SRTS programs & projects around the state.