State awarding $12M to communities around the state for sidewalks and bike paths

Bicycle lane
The largest grant totals $250,000. (Photo courtesy: Pixabay)

BY IIS and Blake Haas

SPRINGFIELD – More than $12 million is being awarded to communities around the state to ensure students get to school safely.

The safe route to school grants is funding 57 projects to improve sidewalks and bike paths and add ADA-compliant ramps.

“The goal of it is to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, that walk, and bicycle to school and to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative and encourage a healthy and active lifestyle at an early age.”

Communities receiving grants include Rantoul, Kincaid, Moline, Addison, Aurora, Mattoon, Fox Lake, and Granite City,

The largest grant totals $250,000.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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