MassDOT Grant Opportunities for the Safe Routes to School
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), through its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, announced the launch of the 2023-2024 Signs and Lines Program and Infrastructure Funding Program grant opportunities.
Both programs seek to provide funding though a competitive application process to help facilitate the development of construction projects in areas immediately surrounding public elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the Commonwealth.
The application period opened for both grant opportunities on Aug. 23. All SRTS partner schools, that have been a partner for at least six months as of Aug. 23, are encouraged to apply for both grants and must have a municipal contact as the primary applicant.
Signs and Lines Program
The SRTS Signs and Lines Program provides design services and up to $10,000 to support the purchase of materials. The funding for the program, which has been increased from $6,000 to $10,000 this year, will be awarded to up to five municipalities for low-cost construction infrastructure projects within half a mile around statewide public elementary, middle, and high schools. Eligible low-cost projects include signage and pavement markings to improve safety and accessibility along key walking and biking routes to a school. The projects are intended to be completed no later than June 30, 2024, and within the current school year.
Applications for the Signs and Lines Program are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Friday, Sept. 22. The Signs and Lines Program Guidance Document and Application are available on the SRTS website under the Engineering section.
The SRTS Infrastructure Funding Program provides both design and construction services for projects between $300,000 and $2 million in areas immediately around public elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the Commonwealth. Eligible projects include transportation construction and capital improvement projects that will improve safety and/or increase the number of children walking, biking, and rolling to school and are located within two miles of a school serving children in any grades from kindergarten through the twelfth grade.
Applications for the Infrastructure Funding Program are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. The program allows municipalities to conveniently use MassDOT's Massachusetts Project Intake Tool (MaPIT) to submit information online at https://gis.massdot.state.ma.
This year, the MassDOT Safe Routes team is piloting a new technical assistance program for the Signs and Lines and Infrastructure Funding programs to accommodate and support the range of municipal staff capacities across the Commonwealth. Five communities will be selected to receive technical assistance from the following four available offerings: project identification, general application support, relationship building, and cost estimates. The deadline for municipalities to apply for technical assistance is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Interested communities should email MassDOTSafeRoutesToSchool@dot.
MassDOT's SRTS Program, which is supported by funds from the Federal Highway Administration, promotes safer routes for students to actively get to and from school by fostering partnerships between community-led organizations, local law enforcement, education leaders, and public health departments. The program currently serves more than 1,100 schools in more than 280 communities across the Commonwealth. Through these partnerships, the program highlights the importance of pedestrian and bicycle safety. SRTS also provides information, materials, and resources to support schools and communities with their local SRTS initiatives.
For questions related to the Signs and Lines Program or the SRTS Infrastructure Program, email SRTS@dot.state.ma.us or visit Safe Routes To School - Engineering | Mass.gov.
For more information on Massachusetts Safe Routes to School visit:
www.mass.gov/safe-routes-to-
www.facebook.com/SafeRoutes.MA
www.linkedin.com/company/ma-
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