Safe Routes to Schools Initiative in Charlotte, MI
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) in Charlotte, MI is a program that aims to make it safe, convenient, and enjoyable for children to bicycle and walk to school. The initiative promotes regular physical activity, eases traffic congestion, reduces air pollution, and enhances community cohesion. Schools in Charlotte, such as Upper Elementary and Middle School, participate in the program and can receive funding for various improvements. The SRTS team collaborates with local stakeholders to implement projects since 2017, with a focus on safety, education, and community engagement.
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Safe Routes to Schools Charlotte, MI
What IS SRTS? - Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is an international movement and a federal program to make it safe, convenient, and fun for children, including those with disabilities, to bicycle and walk to school. When routes are safe, walking or biking to and from school is an easy way to get the regular physical activity children need for good health. Safe Routes to School initiatives also help ease traffic jams and air pollution, unite neighborhoods, and contribute to students readiness to learn in school. The program is administered by the Environment section of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Funds are distributed through the Michigan Department of Transportation to the Act 51 Agency (City of Charlotte). - -
Project Eligibility The SRTS team registered 6 schools Charlotte Upper Elementary, Charlotte Middle School, Parkview, Washington, Galewood, St. Mary s. Eligible construction can occur up to two miles from each school registering, which covers most of Charlotte! Physical improvements can include: pathways, sidewalks, signals, crosswalks, signage. Each school also has educational components that they use with the students. Each school (K-8) registered can get up to $200,000 with a total award of up to $1.2 million. This application includes funding for railroad crossing improvements.
How Does it Work? A SRTS Team is established. The team coordinating this effort consists of-Charlotte Public schools, St. Mary s, The City of Charlotte, Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital, Barry-Eaton District Health Department, Eaton County Road Commission, CanDo (Step by Step). A parent and student survey is distributed. Walking and biking audits are conducted. Public engagement included *CJ Article,Tim Talk live, BOE Meeting, Can Do public meeting, FB posts, Feedback Public Session. An Action Planning meeting is held with the community and SRTS Team. Projects are selected for the grant application based on the surveys, audits, and other input. The SR2S team has been working on this project since 2017.
Educational Program Part of the grant covers planning hours for the educational program. This could include: - - - - - - Walking School Bus days Bike/Walking Safety lessons Projects related to healthy exercising Community outreach events School sponsored walking programs Programs to connect community partners for exercise/education (Al!ve, etc)
Where do we get funding for this? - The SRTS team received the $75,000 IMPACT grant from the Community Foundation to cover the costs of the pre-engineering required to submit the grant. The CanDo! Step by Step Committee has contributed $4,018 The SRTS Program originally awarded a grant capped at $1,306,048 Grant reduced to $1,287,121 after church backed out of easement. Grant increased to $1,828,489 after first MDOT bid was rejected Any costs for engineering and project overages are paid by the Act 51 Agency. - - - - -
What are the steps for a SRTS Project? Grant submittal includes: Crash reports, construction estimates, plan views of each proposed project, Schedule C descriptions of each project, road cross- section details, easement commitments, copies of all documentation to date, grant application, letter to residents and their responses, and an overall map of the projects. After review, the agencies eliminated some projects, requested adjustments to other. All grant documents submitted four times to get final grant approval. Once the project is approved, an engineering firm is hired to prepare construction documents in accordance with MDOT standards.
What is the timeline for SR2S? Grant awarded November, 2020 and engineering began First Project Letting June, 2022- bids rejected Second Project Letting January 6, 2023 Awarded by MDOT January, 2023 Tree removal March 1 to March 31, 2023 Other prep work completed by May 26, 2023 Sidewalk construction starting after Memorial Day Open to Traffic October 27, 2023 Final Completion October 25, 2024 (water and cultivating pay items complete) Open posting for educational program: Successful interview last week, waiting for acceptance of offer.
Where is this Happening, you ask?
