The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) has announced the availability of applications for “Safe Routes to School Program” funding in Arkansas, according to AHTD Director Scott Bennett.
The program is a federally-funded initiative of the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
“Safe Routes to Schools” is specifically directed toward enabling and encouraging students in kindergarten through 8th grade to walk or bicycle to school. Areas within two miles of a K-8th grade school are eligible for 100 percent federal funds to be disbursed in two categories – infrastructure improvements and educational programs. Improvement projects can include planning grants, sidewalks, school crossings, bicycle facilities, as well as traffic diversion and speed reduction improvements.
Educational programs can include walking and school bus programs, public awareness campaigns, and traffic education and enforcement activities.
The deadline for applications to be received by the AHTD is 3:30 p.m. Feb. 28, 2013. Applications can be downloaded from: http://arkansashighways.com/ safe_route/safe_route.aspx
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
For further information call the AHTD at 501-569-2020; write the Arkansas State Highway
and Transportation Department, 10324 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR 72209; or e-mail
Kim.Sanders@arkansashighways.com.