The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program received 48 applications from communities across Arizona for funding during its third grant cycle. SRTS is a federally funded program that offers financial and technical assistance to programs and projects that make it safer and easier for students to walk and bicycle to school.
Funding is available for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects. Infrastructure improvements include sidewalks, trails, traffic signals and bike racks. Non-infrastructure improvements include educational materials, law enforcement support and training, biking and walking events, and promotional awards.
A list of proposed projects from communities include:
A community safety day, which includes a bicycle rodeo and walking events
Additional police support for bicycling and walking events
Hiring a Safe Routes to School coordinator
Developing a GIS-based walking/bicycling route mapping tool
Holding neighborhood traffic and safety forums
Purchasing bicycle helmets to give away at bike events
Installing specialized pedestrian crossing signals
Installing a bicycle/pedestrian bridge
Installing traffic calming devices on streets
Constructing sidewalks and trails
Painting high-visibility crosswalks
A companion program to Arizona's SRTS program is the Planning Assistance Program. This program provides SRTS-focused technical assistance to in-need communities and tribes. Beginning this spring, five recipients will receive specialized consultant support to assist them in the initial stages of their own SRTS efforts.
Arizona's fourth SRTS grant cycle will begin in September. Information on how to apply can be found on the program’s site.