(Submitted)
The city of Elyria will receive $550,000 in grant funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program, which works to improve safety for students walking and biking to and from school, according to a news release.
An allocation of $470,000 has been earmarked for mobility, accessibility and connectivity improvements in the vicinity of three community schools, providing safer routes for children and parents traveling between their homes and school campuses, the release said.
The funding also will be utilized to upgrade crossings near those schools, ensuring full compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), according to the release.
The remaining $80,000 will be allocated to safety education programs and acquiring equipment to bolster safety initiatives for both students and staff, the release said.
In total, Lorain County was awarded $1,248,000 in funding through the program.
City leaders, Lorain County Public Health and other community and county partners were instrumental in the successful efforts to secure substantial grant funding through the program, according to the release.
“When people hear about the importance of planning and community input, it’s understandable to be skeptical about its effectiveness,” said Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield. “However, this grant funding serves as a testament to the value of residents engaging with their city government.
“The active participation and feedback from the community on the Elyria Active Transportation Plan (ATP) was instrumental in shaping our compelling proposal and securing this very important grant. This funding will make it safer for our children to get around town, particularly on their way to and from school.
“This grant encompasses a wide range of essential improvements, including upgraded sidewalks, traffic pattern improvements and the installation of new crosswalk markings. These enhancements will significantly contribute to creating a safer environment for our children.
“We are grateful for our partnership with Lorain County Public Health and Elyria City Schools, as well as for our dedicated residents who played a pivotal role in elevating the importance of safety enhancements to a top priority for our community.”
On July 20, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks announced funding awards of over $9.8 million for projects that will improve safety for students walking and biking to and from school in 25 counties through the Safe Routes to School program, the release said.
The Safe Routes to School program provides funding for infrastructure like new sidewalks and path extensions, crosswalks and rapid flashing beacons, bicycle lanes, and other safety equipment around Ohio schools.
It also provides programming for communities to help encourage and enable K-12 students living within two miles of their schools to walk or ride a bike.
Since its inception in 2005, the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program has provided more than $75 million to schools, municipalities, health districts, park districts and key nonprofit partners to improve safety for students, according to the release.
Visit the Safe Routes to School website to learn more about the program or contact [email protected] for inquiries specific to the city of Elyria’s grant funding.