The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) today announced that 14 Michigan elementary and middle schools in eight counties will receive more than $1.8 million in federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funding for safety improvements and education programs.
MDOT partners with the Michigan Fitness Foundation to work with schools, communities, students, teachers and parents.
"This is welcome news for schools, neighborhoods and communities," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "With this federal funding, schools can offer educational activities and make infrastructure improvements that encourage students to walk and bicycle safely between home and school and lead healthy, more active lifestyles."
"Safe Routes to School benefits children and communities by encouraging local partners to identify barriers and solutions to walking and bicycling to school," said Candance (Lee) Kokinakis, SRTS Senior Director at the Michigan Fitness Foundation. "Safe and convenient routes to school make it easy for students to get regular physical activity for good health, provide green energy transportation alternatives, and reduce traffic and pollution around schools."
The schools receiving SRTS funding are:
Inland Lakes Elementary School, Tuscarora Township/Indian River, Cheboygan County;
Inland Lakes Middle School, Tuscarora Township/Indian River, Cheboygan County;
Delta Center Elementary School, Grand Ledge, Eaton County;
Discovery Elementary School, Williamston, Ingham County;
Explorer Elementary School, Williamston, Ingham County;
Williamston Middle School, Williamston, Ingham County;
Meadowlawn Elementary School, Kentwood, Kent County;
Velma Matson Upper Elementary School, Newaygo, Newaygo County;
Kempton Elementary School, Saginaw, Saginaw County;
Stone Elementary School, Saginaw, Saginaw County;
Jerome Elementary School, Saginaw, Saginaw County;
Campbell Elementary School, Cass City, Tuscola County;
Cass City Middle School, Cass City, Tuscola County;
Burns School, Detroit, Wayne County.
The specific project details for the Northern Michigan area are below:
Cheboygan County
Inland Lakes Elementary School and Inland Lakes Middle School, in partnership with Tuscarora Township and the Cheboygan County Road Commission, will implement safety improvements and educational programming.
Project components include installing a nonmotorized path along M-68, sidewalks on Wilson Road, and implementing several school-based programs, including pedestrian and bicycle safety education, crossing guard and safety patrol training and materials, a frequent walker and bicyclist program, and a community outreach campaign.
The project budget is $160,360.
Newaygo County
Velma Matson Upper Elementary School, in partnership with the city of Newaygo, will implement safety improvements and educational programming. Project components include installing sidewalks on State, Brooks, Stake, Barton, Washington, Post, Mary and Clay streets and South Park Avenue, and implementing several school-based programs, including pedestrian and bicycle safety education, a frequent walker and bicyclist program, homeowner education and outreach, and developing walking route maps. The project budget is $209,300.
