The City of Savannah in partnership with Savannah-Chatham County Public School System and the Healthy Savannah Initiative is one of 13 recipients in the state to be awarded the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Infrastructure Grant.

The $ 401,197.25 grant will fund infrastructure improvements at four local public schools, Garden City Elementary, Georgetown Elementary, Largo Tibet Elementary and White Bluff Elementary. The infrastructure improvements will allow students to safely walk and bicycle to school. Features of the proposed project include traffic control, a pedestrian bridge, additional and connecting sidewalks, reset lighting, highway signs, clearing, grading, bike racks, signal assembly, and handicap accessible ADA curb cut ramps.

According to Dr. Michele Hartzell, Director of Health & Physical Education for SCCPSS, “The grant is an extension of SCCPSS’ proactive efforts to facilitate safe routes to schools. The curriculum and supplemental programs include components on bike, pedestrian, bus, and occupant safety at each grade level.”

Georgia DOT received 65 applications. Georgia DOT reports projects were carefully selected to represent each Georgia Congressional District. The selection process for this program involved extensive review and comment by the SRTS Project Review Panel that included a diverse group of professionals with expertise in several areas including project planning, community development, community health and engineering.

Safe Routes to School is a national program to improve the health and wellbeing of children by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school. With the support of parents, schools, community members, local, state and federal government, sustainable programs can be implemented. The program evaluates built environment around schools, conducts activities and funds projects that improve safety, reduce traffic and air pollutions in the surrounding area of the school.