Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a federal program established in Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) with an objective to enable and encourage school children (Grades K-8), including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school; to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

On April 5, 2007, Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) issued a solicitation for SRTS projects. The program provides 100% federal funds for eligible and selected infrastructure improvements. This is a cost reimbursement program managed by ConnDOT through the regional planning organizations. Regional planning organizations will receive and rank SRTS applications and submit the top three to ConnDOT by May 31, 2007. ConnDOT has targeted approximately $1.0 million to allocate for infrastructure projects for award by September 2007.

Eligible SRTS projects include:

Sidewalk improvements: New sidewalks, sidewalk gap closures, sidewalk widening
Traffic calming and speed reduction improvements: Roundabouts, bulb-outs, speed humps, raised crossings, raised intersections, reducing curb-to-curb lane widths, center islands, etc.
Pedestrian and bicycle improvements: Includes new or upgraded traffic signals, pavement markings, crosswalks, median refuges, new or upgraded pedestrian activated signal, raised crossings, raised intersections, flashing beacons, bicycle-sensitive signal actuation devices
Bicycle parking facilities: bicycle parking racks, bicycle lockers, designated areas with safety lighting, covered bicycle shelters
Signs: directional signing, signs to provide awareness for bicyclists and pedestrians
On-street bicycle facilities: new or upgraded bicycle lanes; signing, pavement markings
Off-street bicycle/pedestrian facilities: exclusive multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trails within 2 mile radius of schools that are separated from a roadway
Traffic diversion improvements: separation of pedestrians and bicycles from vehicular traffic adjacent to school facilities, and traffic diversion away from school zones and designated routes to a school

Note: Maintenance projects, i.e. sidewalk repairs, are not eligible for funding.

Project considerations:

School to benefit from improvement must have a SRTS master plan;
Infrastructure improvement must be within a 2-mile radius of a K-8 school (public or private) and on public property;
Applicant must secure all necessary permits to design and implement the project;
Project must be designed to conform to the American with Disabilities Act requirements;
Eligible recipients are State, local, and regional agencies or any political subdivision (school boards, school districts, etc.);
Project must be authorized for construction no later than two years following the data of contract signing; and
Applicant is required to submit an evaluation one year after project completion that describes the project’s effect on bicycling and walking to school;
Applicants who have received awards previously under the SRTS program are not eligible to apply for funding until awarded projects have been fully constructed and post evaluation documentation showing the affects of project on the school walking and bicycling population submitted.

For more detailed information regarding program guidelines and application requirements, please see the application documents below.

Resources

Safe Routes to School Resources:

Other Bicycle and Pedestrian Resources:

SWRPA Bicycle and Pedestrian Resources Page

If you have questions or would like further information, please contact:

Alex Karman
Senior Regional Planner
SWRPA
888 Washington Blvd
Stamford, CT 06901

Phone: 203-316-5190
Fax: 203-316-4995
Email: karman@swrpa.org

Sharon Okoye
Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Transportation Safety Section, Room 3103
2800 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT 06111

Phone: 860-594-2367
Email: sharon.okoye@po.state.ct.us

Application Documents

News

CT Safe Routes to School Program has developed a free one day training that offers participants the opportunity to learn how to build a SRTS Program. The sessions will take place at Skinner Road School in Vernon on April 17th from 8:30 – 4:30 and at Thomaston Center School in Thomaston on April 30, 2008 from 8:00 – 4:00. Please download the flyer for more information.

Contact webmaster@swrpa.org with comments or questions about this site.


	South Western Regional Planning Agency Government Center, 3rd Floor 888 Washington Boulevard Stamford, CT 06901 Tel: 203-316-5190 Fax: 203-316-4995