Columbia prepares to apply for Safe Routes to School funds

According to a Columbia Missourian article, Columbia officials are working together to prepare an application for federal "Safe Routes to School" funds for Columbia:

Columbia police Sgt. Tim Moriarity, whose primary job is to promote pedestrian/vehicular safety, doesn’t agree that it’s safe for the kids to walk in the street.

“It’s not a good idea, especially for young children who are not familiar with the rules of the road, to be put in conflict with vehicles,” said Moriarity, who was part of an ad hoc group that assembled recommendations for projects that would apply for Safe Routes to School. Representatives of the school district, city planners and the PedNet Coalition joined the effort.

The City Council also agreed to apply for money to expand the Walking School Bus program and to teach bicycle safety at the four schools where new sidewalks are planned.

Although Safe Routes to Schools is a federal program, states award the money and oversee the projects. Each state’s share is based on its kindergarten through eighth-grade populations. Between now and 2009, when all the money has to be allocated, it’s estimated Missouri will be eligible for almost $11 million in reimbursements for approved projects.

Other communities around Missouri are also eligible to apply for the funds. The deadline is January 31st.

More about the Safe Routes program in Missouri.

MoDOT's Safe Routes to School page includes information about applying for the grants.