CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546
FOR RELEASE: December 18, 2007	FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:    OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS    TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062    Fax: (860) 594-3066    Web site:www.ct.gov/dot

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program

                                     Awards $1 Million for SRTS Projects

Newington, Connecticut – The Connecticut Department of Transportation today announced the award of $1 million in funds from the Federal Highway Administration’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program for infrastructure projects.

The SRTS program objective is to encourage more students in elementary and middle schools (Grades K-8) to walk and bike to school, as opposed to other transportation alternatives; thereby encouraging a more healthy lifestyle. 

Local communities promoting walking and biking to nine schools will be supported by the construction of the following projects:

           Town of Bethel, $250,000

F.A. Berry, Anna Rockwell, RMT Johnson, and Bethel Middle Schools

Sidewalk, sight distance and crosswalk improvements in education park and along Plumtrees Road and Maple Avenue.       

            Town of Columbia, $250,000

Horace W. Porter School - Multiuse trail installation on Route 87 from local neighborhoods to school.

            City of New Britain, $250,000

            Northend Elementary School

Sidewalk construction, curb ramp installation, crosswalks and signage on Glen

Street, just west of Rockwell Avenue.                              

Town of Fairfield, $250,000

Ludlowe Middle School, Tomlinson Middle School, and Riverfield Elementary School

Traffic calming measures, sidewalk construction; installation of handicap

accessible ramps, school zone signs and crosswalks.

In March 2007, the Department solicited applications statewide for SRTS infrastructure projects. As part of the application process, eligible schools were required to have a documented SRTS Master Plan. Selected projects will participate in a 100% federally funded cost reimbursement program managed through the Department.

For more program information, please visit the Connecticut SRTS website: www.ctsaferoutes.org

You can also contact the Department’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Ms. Sharon Okoye, at (806) 594-2367 or by email at sharon.okoye@po.state.ct.us