Projects sought to make school routes safer

State transportation officials are seeking project proposals to help make walking and biking routes to school safer.

Safe Routes to School is a federally funded program and an international effort to increase safety and promote walking and bicycling to and from school, according to a news release from the state Department of Transportation on Tuesday. This is the department’s seventh call for applications to award Safe Routes to School federal funds.

Eligible projects and activities must directly support increased safety and convenience for students in kindergarten through eighth grade to walk and/or bicycle to or from school, the news release said. All projects that use Safe Routes to School federal funds must comply with federal, state and local provisions.

Applications will only be accepted from eligible recipients of the funds, which are limited to state, local and regional government agencies, including schools and school districts as well as nonprofit organizations. Recipients will be responsible for all aspects of project implementation; DOT’s role is as an oversight capacity only.

To access the call for applications, visit hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities/opportunity-details/21161.

Applications must be emailed to saferoutestoschool@hawaii.gov no later than 4:30 p.m. May 13. Questions can also be sent to Safe Routes to School Coordinator Tara Lucas at the same email.

For more information on the Safe Routes to School federal program in Hawaii, visit hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/srts/.