Safe Routes to School Grants coming to central Illinois

Posted on May 30, 2024
According to an IDOT news release, $9.8 million in grants will be going to 47 projects as part of the Safe Routes to School Program (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By WMBD-TV

NORMAL – The Illinois Department of Transportation joined Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday to announce more funding to make it safer for kids to walk or bike to school.

According to an IDOT news release, $9.8 million in grants will be going to 47 projects as part of the Safe Routes to School Program, which uses federal funds for projects that improve safety and encourage active transportation options in areas around elementary, middle and high schools.

Local projects that will receive funding will include:

  • $248,670 to Normal for a multi-use path to connect to existing pedestrian accommodations at Chiddix Junior High School and to purchase a new bike rack.
  • $247,710 to Washington for an ongoing project to add new sidewalks along Grant Street near Beverly Manor School.

“From Moline to Normal to Chicago Heights, the Safe Routes to Schools program is creating accessible communities that are safer and healthier places to live,” Pritzker said. “Thanks to these grants, 47 communities across the state will build projects that will ensure K-12 students, including those with disabilities, can safely walk or bike to school.”

More information about the Illinois Safe Routes to School Program is available here.

WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected].

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