Background

The Safe Routes to Schools Program (SRTS) was established in August 2005 as part of the Federal Highway Transportation Bill and is intended to benefit children in elementary andmiddle schools (K-8). The SRTS program at its heart is about kids walking and biking to school, and making it a safe and routine activity once again. The SRTS Program is funded at $612 million over five federal fiscal years (FY 2005-2009) for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure reimbursement grants.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), through the Local Government Division, is administering the program and is expected to receive approximately $1 million dollars in federal monies each year for five fiscal years for infrastructure and noninfrastructure projects.

The SRTS Program provides funds to substantially improve the ability of elementary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school safely.

Program Purpose

To enable and encourage children, 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

 

To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity (approximately 2 miles) of elementary and middle schools (Grades K-8).

These stated purposes describe the overall intent of the SRTS Program. There are many possible outcomes of this far reaching program that addresses both infrastructure and noninfrastructure needs to achieve program goals.