Governor Haslam Announces $1.8 Million in Safe Routes to School Grants

Morristown and City of Newport 2 of 12 Municipalities to Receive Funds to Encourage Elementary and Middle School Students to Walk and Bike

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced Safe Routes to School funding totaling $1.8 for 12 municipalities in Tennessee. The funds will be used by multiple schools to improve sidewalks, crosswalks, signs and safe walking and biking educational activities. The Safe Routes to School Program is a statewide initiative designed to make bicycling and walking to school a safer, more appealing and healthier alternative for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

“Safety is a crucial component in our efforts to promote a healthier lifestyle for Tennessee children,” Haslam said. “The Safe Routes to School program helps create safer walking and biking environments for students and funds activities to encourage children and their parents to increase their physical activity.”

Morristown totaling $250,000 for improvements at two local schools will utilize the Safe Routes to School funds for sidewalk construction, crosswalks, signage, and bicycle racks at Lincoln Heights Elementary and Middle Schools. When complete, this multi-faceted project will support the city’s commitment as a community partner to build, manage, and maintain an effective and safe non-motorized transportation program.

The City of Newport totaling $164,400 for improvements at a local school, will utilize the Safe Routes to School funds for sidewalk construction, crosswalks, and signage at the Newport Grammar School. Funds will also be used to provide safety educational programs and promotional activities to encourage walking and bicycling in a safe environment. This program will create partnerships between schools, families, local officials, transportation officials, law enforcement, health advocates, and the community.

The grants are made possible through a federally funded program administered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

“Since 2005, the Safe Routes to School grants have funded improvement projects at 126 schools across Tennessee,” said Commissioner Schroer. “This creative program allows us to work closely with schools, the community, and local government to promote healthy lifestyle choices and to reinforce those choices by creating a safe environment for children to walk or bike to school.”

Nationally, more than 12,000 schools have benefited from funds through state SRTS programs. To learn more about the Safe Routes to School program at the Tennessee Department of Transportation, please visit www.tn.gov/tdot/bikeped/saferoutes.htm.

State Sen. Steve Southerland (R-Morristown) and State Rep. Don Miller (R-Morristown) represent Hamblen County in the Tennessee General Assembly.

State Sen. Steve Southerland (R-Morristown) and State Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) represent Cocke County in the Tennessee General Assembly.