$363,246 Safe Routes To School Non-Infrastructure Grants Awarded
The state Department of Transportation proudly announces $363,246 in the first round of awards for the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Non-Infrastructure Grants. SRTS is a rising international effort to increase highway and pedestrian safety and to promote walking and bicycling to school.
HONOLULU - The state Department of Transportation proudly announces $363,246 in the first round of awards for the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Non-Infrastructure Grants.
SRTS is a rising international effort to increase highway and pedestrian safety and to promote walking and bicycling to school through the “5 Es: Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Encouragement, and Evaluation.” The 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) federal transportation bill will provide $1 million each year through federal fiscal year 2009 for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure reimbursement grants.
The state Department of Education's "SR2S Awareness Project" was awarded $13,300 for its work to publicize the Safe Routes to School program. The project will print campaign mailings, booklets and wristbands promoting safe pedestrian and bicycling tips for elementary schools across the state.
The non-profit Kokua Kalihi Valley community group was awarded $13,500 for its SRTS project which will provide pedestrian and bicycle safety education for students at Dole Middle School.
$34,246 was awarded to the non-profit community group Hawai‘i Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawai‘i (Hawai‘i PATH) for its "West Hawai‘i Safe Routes to School Program." The program will promote education, enforcement, encouragement, and evaluation activities in conjunction with infrastructure projects at West Hawai‘i elementary schools.
The Honolulu Police Department's "Ride to Live, Live to Ride" program has been awarded $117,117. This educational program promotes healthy lifestyle choices for youth ages 8 to 14 to increase interest in bicycling, walking and an active lifestyle to improve overall health and well-being.
The Hawai‘i Bicycling League was awarded $185,083 for its "Bike Ed" program which encourages bicycling to school for O‘ahu public elementary schools.
"Through public-private-community partnerships, the SRTS grants program will help create a safer environment for children across the state by increasing pedestrian and bicycling education and awareness," said state Department of Transportation director Brennon Morioka. "It will also help to encourage healthy lifestyles by promoting walking and biking to school."
The following entities can apply for SRTS grants: county government, non-profit organizations, schools, community organizations and parent teacher associations. Programs wishing to apply for SRTS grants should contact Laura Manuel at 692-7695. The second round of applications will be a formal request for proposals with an anticipation advertisement in the Fall of 2008. More information on the SRTS program is also available at http://safety.fhwa.dot.
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