MassDOT Annual Safe Routes to School Program Yard Sign Design Contest

11:01AM / Saturday, January 10, 2026Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), through its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, announced the launch of the 2026 Yard Sign Design Contest.

The annual contest raises awareness for transportation-related themes that help support school safety for walking and biking to school and is open to students in second through eighth grade who attend participating SRTS partner public schools. To become an SRTS partner, school administrators can connect with their Outreach Coordinator or fill out the online form.

"Massachusetts schools are ranked # 1 in the nation and under Governor Healey, safety for all will always be our top priority. As MassDOT launches this year's Safe Routes to School contest, we take great pride in partnering with schools, communities and today's youth to promote safety across all modes of travel to and from school," said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng. "By making it fun for students and adults of all ages, it reminds us all that no matter what age we are, we can all participate, teach and learn. Watching the next generation help shape a safer, healthier transportation system for everyone who walks, bikes, rides and drives or takes transit across our state demonstrates the importance of education and that the future is bright."

This year's theme is centered around "no idling." Students are tasked with creating original designs that highlight the importance of turning off vehicle engines to promote a healthy environment for nearby pedestrians. For the fourth year in a row, multilingual designs are highly encouraged.

All contest materials including a blank template will be available on the Safe Routes to School website under the Encouragement page. You can also view winning designs from past contest themes. All designs must be submitted by Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.

The Massachusetts SRTS Program, sponsored by MassDOT and with 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 1,290 schools in over 285 communities across the Commonwealth. Through these partnerships, the Massachusetts SRTS 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.

Tags: MassDOT,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Housing Projects Get Extra ARPA Boost

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:52PM / Tuesday, March 03, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two affordable housing initiatives are getting $120,000 in leftover American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The Affordable Housing Trust approved the funding on Wednesday to the Westside Legends and Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity.

These projects had already been awarded funds from the trust, meaning that they could be allocated after the ARPA deadline. Westside Legends will get an additional $70,000 for an affordable housing project underway at 70 Dewey Ave., and Habitat will see an additional $50,000 for its home build on Curtis Terrace.

Director of Community Development Justine Dodds reported that while ARPA projects had to be under contract by December 2025, these were under-contract projects that could use the funds.

"I think our Affordable Housing Trust has really done a good job being a catalyst for improving the housing stock in the city of Pittsfield, and we've got a lot of things happening now in Pittsfield that are close," Trustee Michael McCarthy said.

This includes units coming online from the non-profit and private development sectors.

Habitat CEO Carolyn Valli gave the trust an update on its ARPA-funded effort to build five new affordable homes in Pittsfield. Habitat has completed and sold two homes, two are ready for sale, and one home is under construction with the help of Taconic High School career technical education students.

This includes condos at 112 Robbins Ave., units A and B, and 21 and 23 Murphy Place. The stick-built project at 37 Curtis Terrace has run into some delays, and the additional ARPA monies will fund upgrades to the heating system.

The total projected cost to build the five units is nearly $2.2 million, and the affordable mortgages are expected to total about $1,036,000. Valli recognized that there is a significant gap, and said the money Pittsfield invested was "really impactful, and we hope that you'll be able to give us a little bit more cash in order to be able to close that gap a little bit more."

iBerkshires attended the open house at Murphy Place, which offers three-bedroom and one-bathroom homes in a condominium style for about $1,700 per month. All Habitat homes include a washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove, over-the-counter microwave, and dishwasher.

The condos will be sold to families earning between 50 percent and 65 percent of the area median income, which ranges between $49,150 and $63,895 for a family of two and $66,350 and $86,255 for a family of five. A monthly payment of $1,673 will cover the principal and interest, property taxes, and home insurance. There is a monthly HOA fee on top of that.

Valli reported that they have had more than 600 pre-screening applications between the Pittsfield project and the Great Barrington project, called the Prosperity Way Community.

View Full Story