Money Pledged For School Safe Routes

FAYETTEVILLE — The state Highway Department is handing out federal money to several cities and schools as part of the Safe Routes to School Program.

“This program is specifically directed toward enabling and encouraging students in kindergarten through eighth grade to walk or bicycle to school,” Scott Bennett, director of the Highway Department, said in a news release. “The highway department was able to award approximately $2 million in funds toward 31 deserving projects.”

The program is 100 percent federal money and a local match isn't required. Areas within two miles of schools are eligible for the grants for planning, design and construction of sidewalks, crossings and bicycle facilities as well as traffic diversion and speed reduction improvements. Money also can be used for public awareness campaigns, traffic education, enforcement and outreach.

Westwood Elementary School in Springdale received $135,896 for a sidewalk along the north side of the school.

Elmdale Elementary School in Springdale received $80,000 for a sidewalk along Christian Avenue.

Fayetteville received $81,200 to build a footbridge over Clabber Creek on the west side of Salem Road. The bridge will connect two sidewalks that end at the creek. It will prevent students from Holcomb Elementary School from having to enter the street to cross the creek. The bridge will be part of the Clabber Creek Trail extension to Holt Middle School.

Northwest Arkansas Resource, Conservation and Development Council, a nonprofit rural development corporation serving nine Northwest Arkansas counties, received $27,800 for education.

The Prairie Grove School District received $$3,000 for planning.

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