NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Thursday Caltrans awarded $48.5 million of state Safe Routes to School Program funds for 139 projects – including projects for four Lake County schools – to increase safety and help reduce injuries and fatalities among children in grades K-12 who walk and bicycle to school.
“Safety is Caltrans’ No. 1 priority,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “We are committed to providing the highest safety possible for our children as they travel to and from school in California.”
Among the state-funded projects are new sidewalks, bicycle lanes and other safety improvements.
Caltrans chose each project based upon need, effectiveness and how quickly it could be delivered.
By improving safety, more kids are encouraged to walk and bicycle to school, resulting in healthier children while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle congestion.
More than $7 million of the funds were awarded to critical safety projects in rural counties. In addition, 82 projects totaling $28 million will create jobs and benefit at least one low-income school within each project.
In Lake County, $188,300 was awarded to construct sidewalks and curbs, and upgrade crosswalks from Austin Road between Olive Street and Locust Street for Burns Valley Elementary School students, and for Pomo Elementary School, where Arrowhead Road between Scenic Road and Vista Street will be upgraded. The total cost for both projects is $210,100.
Another $346,900 will be used to construct sidewalks and curb ramps, and install crosswalks near Kelseyville Elementary School and Mountain Vista Middle School. The Kelseyville improvements will take place on Konocti Road between Cold Creek Drive and Oak Hills Lane. Total project cost is $386,000.
In neighboring Mendocino County, $394,500 was awarded to construct sidewalks and curbs, and install bike lanes near Calpella Elementary School and The Waldorf School of Mendocino County.
Farther up the North Coast, Humboldt County received $300,000 to construct a raised crosswalk, raised medians, sidewalks and curbs near Grant Elementary School and McKinleyville High School, and $152,000 to construct sidewalks, and install crosswalks, in-pavement crosswalk lighting, LED signs, and pavement markings near Eagle Prairie Elementary School and Monument Middle School.
To date, the state and federal Safe Routes to School programs have awarded $472 million for safety projects around California’s schools.