Funding available for safe routes to school program

The North Dakota Department of Transportation's (NDDOT) Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is currently accepting applications for projects that encourage and better enable children to walk and bike safely to school.

The federal program, administered by the NDDOT, helps communities fund projects that make walking and bicycling to schools a safe and routine activity. This funding can be used to assist with such projects as building safer street crossings, improving signs, and constructing bike paths or sidewalks to encourage children and their parents to walk and bicycle safely to school. North Dakota counties, cities, schools and non-profit groups have until February 28, 2013, to apply for SRTS funds.

The application and guidelines are available at www.dot.nd.gov or by contacting Pam Wenger at dot@nd.gov or by calling 701-328-4787.

Applications can be submitted to the Local Government Division at the North Dakota Department of Transportation.

Projects in or near Grand Forks, Fargo/West Fargo, or Bismarck/Mandan must be submitted to the NDDOT through the local Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Application submittals to the local MPO offices are as follows: Fargo Moorhead Council of Governments, January 21, 2013, Grand Forks/East Grand Forks MPO, February 5, 2013, and Bismarck/Mandan MPO,February 6, 2013.