Connecticut Safe Routes to School Program Awards $1 million for SRTS Projects

The Connecticut Department of Transportation announced in December the award of nearly $1 million in funds from the Federal Highway Administration's Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program for infrastructure projects.

The SRTS program objective is to encourage more students in elementary and middle schools (Grades K-8) to walk and bike to school, as opposed to other transportation alternatives; thereby encouraging a more healthy lifestyle.

Local communities walking and biking to nine schools will be supported by the construction of the following infrastructure projects:

• Town of Bethel: F.A. Berry, Anna Rockwell, RMT Johnson, and Bethel Middle Schools
  Sidewalk, sight distance and crosswalk improvements in education park and along Plumtrees Road and Maple Avenue
• Town of Columbia: Horace W. Porter School
  Multiuse trail installation on Route 87 from local neighborhoods to school
• City of New Britain: Northend Elementary School
  Sidewalk construction, curb ramp installation, crosswalks and signage on Glen Street, just west of Rockwell Avenue
• Town of Fairfield: Ludlowe Middle School, Tomlinson Middle School, and Riverfield Elementary School
  Traffic calming measures, sidewalk construction; installation of handicap accessible ramps, school zone signs and crosswalks

In March 2007, the Connecticut DOT solicited applications statewide for SRTS infrastructure projects. As part of the application process, eligible schools were required to have a documented SRTS Master Plan. Selected projects will participate in a 100% federally funded cost reimbursement program managed through the Connecticut DOT.

For more program information, please visit the Connecticut SRTS Web site: www.ctsaferoutes.org