These funds can cover planning, design, and engineering expenses, including consultant services. Infrastructure-related projects may be carried out on any public road or any bicycle or pedestrian pathway or trail in the vicinity of schools. Construction and capital improvement projects also must be located within approximately two miles of a primary or middle school (gradesK-8).
A candidate who applies for infrastructure funding must also incorporate the non-infrastructure component activities ofeducation, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation with 10% to 30% of the funding request dedicated to non-infrastructure activities as specified by SAFETEA-LU legislation. Non-infrastructure activities include enforcing speedlimits, educating students and improving personal safety.
The recent Safe Routes “Walk to School Day” for Eastern PulaskiSchools kicked off a series of walking and bicycling education efforts, public outreach, traffic enforcement and other activities promoting the safe use of the designated walking and biking routes. Safe Routes Winamac will again partner with Eastern Pulaski Schools for an upcoming Bike/Pedestrian Safety Poster contest. A Bike Safety Rodeo is planned in conjunction with Winamac Kiwanis Club during the annual Kid’s Day at Winamac Town Park. These programs and efforts can bring a wide range of benefits to students and the community- including an easy way for children to physical activity they need for good health and even to ease traffic jams and reduce pollution around schools.
Safe Routes to School is a national program working to make it safe, convenient and fun for children to walk and bike to school.The local event is being organized by the Winamac Safe Routes Task Force. The group is a diverse team of local business leaders, educators, local government, health professionals and private citizens. The Town of Winamac, in partnership with the Eastern Pulaski Community School Corporation, applied for and received a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation in 2011. The federally funded SRTS Program strives to make walking and biking to school safe and more appealing, as well as building connections between families, schools and the community.The grant will fund the Winamac SRTS Program, including Comprehensive SRTS Plan development and programactivities.
In the U.S., International Walk to School Day is expected to include 5,000 schools from all 50 states. Walkers from theU.S. will join children and adults in 40 countries around the world. Walk to School events work to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children,pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment and building connections between families, schoolsand the broader community.
If you are interested in becoming involved with the Winamac Safe Routes program or would like additional information, please contact Dave Bennett at (574) 946-3343.
e.mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. • website: www.saferoutesinfo.org • facebook.com/SafeRoutesWinamac
