Transportation Cabinet
GOVERNOR FLETCHER, TRANSPORTATION CABINET LAUNCH SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PILOT PROJECTS Safe Routes improvement projects total $1.6 million
FRANKFORT, Ky. – (June 30, 2006) Governor Ernie Fletcher and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) today announced the first pilot projects for the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. The safe routes program is designed to make bicycling and walking to school a safer, more appealing and healthier alternative for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
“Safe Routes to Schools will have a positive impact on local schools and communities,” said Governor Ernie Fletcher. “I am committed to safety and to improving the educational climate and learning environment for our Kentucky school children. In addition to safety, these projects help motivate our children, getting them into a mindset for learning.”
A total of 13 pilot projects were announced today including funding of over $1.6 million. A list of projects is attached.
The Safe Routes to School program is comprised of five elements referred to as the five E’s. The selection process was driven by the following:
Engineering—creating operational and physical improvements to the infrastructure surrounding schools that reduce speeds and potential conflicts with motor vehicle traffic, and establishing safer and fully accessible crossings, walkways, trails and bikeways.
Education—teaching children about the broad range of transportation choices, instructing them in important lifelong bicycling and walking safety skills and launching driver safety campaigns in the vicinity of schools.
Enforcement—partnering with local law enforcement agencies to ensure traffic laws are obeyed in the vicinity of schools (including enforcement of speeds, yielding to pedestrians in crossings, and proper walking and bicycling behaviors), and to initiate community enforcement such as crossing guard programs.
Encouragement—events and activities to promote walking and bicycling (bike rodeos).
Evaluation—monitoring and documenting outcomes and trends through the collection of data both before and after the intervention.
The safe routes program was established in August 2005 as part of the most recent federal transportation re-authorization legislation--SAFETEA-LU. For the first time, state transportation agencies will create and administer the safe routes programs which allow communities to compete for funding for local safe routes projects.
“These improvement projects benefit everyone because they underscore the importance of safety and healthy lifestyles and will reduce air pollution in and around our schools,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert.
More information about the safe routes program in Kentucky is available online at http://www.saferoutes.ky.gov.
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SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PILOT PROJECTS
· Rogers Lane- Camp Ernst Middle School Neighborhood Connection
City of Burlington
Camp Ernst Middle School
$99,000.00
This project involves the planning, design and construction of 1,800 feet of new sidewalk to connect three neighborhoods with Camp Ernst Middle School, as well as signage and other traffic calming measures to create a safe crossing on Rogers Lane. The project will provide the necessary infrastructure improvements to increase the level of safety for an estimated 320 students who live within a two-mile radius of the school.
· Murray Independent Schools Safe Walk & Ride
City of Murray
Murray Elementary and Murray Middle Schools
$56,800.00
This project involves the construction of sidewalks along Poplar, Broach, Main and 10th Streets in the city of Murray. It includes traffic-calming measures including the installation of strobe lights, crosswalks and signage. This project also includes funding for educating students and the community regarding safety issues.
· Grant County Safe Routes to School Program
City of Crittenden
Crittenden Mt. Zion Elementary
$14,350.00
This project includes the construction of a sidewalk from Crittenden Mt. Zion Elementary to Indian Hills Mobile Home Park, creating a new and safe route for over 75 students to either walk or bike to school. The Northern Kentucky Health Department will partner with Crittenden Mt. Zion School to create a walking school bus initiative as well as educate students on the importance of safety and living a healthy lifestyle.
· Russell Safe Routes to School Sidewalk/Multi-use Path and Education Project
City of Russell
Russell Primary, Russell McDowell Intermediate and Russell Middle Schools
$250,000.00
This project includes the construction of 9,672 LF of sidewalk and multi-use path, signage, handrails and markings in the city of Russell. The funding will also be dedicated to an educational campaign run by representatives from the city, school officials and volunteers. Funding will provide training and education covering pedestrian and bicycle safety issues and address the need for the community to increase their physical activity to improve their health.
· City of Barbourmeade/Norton Elementary Safe Routes to School Project
City of Barbourmeade
Norton Elementary School
$64,800.00
Funding will be used for a public awareness campaign in the Barbourmeade community and for curriculum incentives regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety, health benefits and the environmental impact of walking and biking to school. This project will improve existing walking and bicycling routes for over 500 students with the installation of traffic calming measures including signage and striping.
· Paintsville Student Drop-Off and Sidewalk Improvement Project
City of Paintsville
Paintsville Elementary School
$32,800.00
Funds will be used to construct a student drop-off zone and improve sidewalks along the routes to school. 1,030 LF of gaps in sidewalk will be filled to allow for a safe and continuous walkway for students bicycling or walking to school. The proposed drop-off zone will reduce morning congestion in front of the school and increase student and driver safety.
· Edgewood Safe Routes to School
City of Edgewood
St. Pius Elementary, Caywood Elementary, R.C. Hinsdale Elementary, Turkeyfoot Middle School
$207,850.00
This project will help fill in gaps in the city’s existing sidewalk grid along North Colony Road, Colony Drive, Madonna Drive and Marie Lane. In partnership with the schools, the Edgewood Police Department will train and educate students about the health benefits and safety considerations of walking and biking to and from school. Funds will be used for training individuals to establish a local Safe Routes to School program including a walking school bus program. The police department will also conduct direct traffic enforcement in the area of the schools and the new sidewalks.
· Erlanger Safe Routes to School Program
City of Erlanger
Arnett Elementary School
$127,300.00
This project involves the construction of sidewalks along Shady Lane, Hallam Avenue and McArthur Street. In Partnership with the Northern Kentucky Health Department and the Erlanger Police Department, Arnett Elementary plans to develop a comprehensive SRTS program including education, enforcement and evaluation. Arnett Elementary hopes to increase non-motorized traffic, decrease the number of vehicles accessing the school, create a healthier community population due to cleaner air and increased opportunities to be physically active.
· Safe Routes to School for Russellville Schools
City of Russellville
Stevenson Elementary and Russellville Middle School
$135,000.00
This project includes the planning, design and construction of a half-mile multi-use path connecting Russellville Middle School to trails on Longview Drive and nearby housing. Funding will also be used to develop a student walker/biker ID system for over 250 students, training for volunteers and special safety days to encourage and educate students.
· Lebanon Elementary Safe Routes to School
City of Lebanon
Lebanon Elementary and 21st Century Learning Center
$137,000.00
This project includes the installation of a crossing on Main Street/US Hwy 68, sidewalk construction along Veterans Drive, sidewalk renovations along
Martin Luther King Avenue, crosswalk striping and traffic signs. In partnership with the Lebanon Elementary Family Resource Center, educational programs will be administered. Lebanon Elementary will collaborate with the school district resource officer and the city police department to provide safety crossing-guards and SRTS training.
· City of Cadiz Safe Routes to School Project
City of Cadiz
Trigg County Elementary and Trigg County Middle Schools
$246,600.00
This project includes the planning and construction of sidewalks along Main Street. It also includes the purchase and installation of a pedestrian cross light at the main entrance of the school campus which will increase the safety of students attempting to cross a dangerous intersection. Funds will be used to purchase educational materials and bike racks to encourage students to walk and bicycle to and from school thus creating a safer, healthier environment for the student in Cadiz.
· Safe Routes to school in Warren County
City of Bowling Green
Dishman-McGinnis Elementary, Parker-Bennett-Curry Elementary, Potter-Gray Elementary, T.C. Cherry Elementary, W.R. McNeill Elementary
$196,000.00
This project will include the construction of a sidewalk along Old Morgantown Road in front of Dishman-McGinnis Elementary. The project will be a joint partnership between the Barren River District Health Department, Bowling Green Citizen Information & Assistance, Bowling Green Public Works, City-County Planning Commission and the Greenways Commission of Bowling Green and Warren County. The funds will be used for educational activities including classroom instruction, training for volunteers at each school and public awareness campaigns.
· City of Corbin Safe Routes to School Project
City of Corbin
Central Elementary, Corbin Middle School, South Elementary, Saint Camillus Academy Elementary School
$195,000.00
This project will repair and construct new sidewalks along the streets surrounding Central Elementary, Corbin Middle School and South Elementary in the City of Corbin. Also included in the project are pavement markings, signage and crosswalks that will ensure safety along the routes to school.