On January 25th, 2008, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) announced the solicitation of applications for the second round of grants from the federal-aid Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program. The program brochure is available at: http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/

community/srts/application.shtm

 

Applications are due by close of business on April 18, 2008. There are several changes to the grant application process this year. First among them is that applications to the SRTS program must now be completed and filed electronically. NJDOT pilot tested the System for Administering Grants Electronically (SAGE) with the County Aid program in November and is pushing it to other programs. This is a new process for NJDOT and the Department is asking applicants to be patient with the system and to consult their regional local aid offices with any complications.

Region I (Mount Arlington) 973-770-5068 Region II (Newark) 973-877-1500

Region III (Freehold) 732-308-4002 Region IV (Cherry Hill) 856-486-6618

 

The second difference in this year’s program is that applications for infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects are separate. Applicants must still show that they have initiated enforcement, education or encouragement programs when applying for infrastructure funds, but the engineering application is separate from the others.

 

Finally, applicants may only apply for one phase of their infrastructure project at a time. Planning, design, right-of-way acquisition and construction funds must each be applied for separately.

 

The objectives of the Safe Routes to School program are:

1. to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk

and bicycle to school;

2. to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and

3. to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity (approximately 2 miles) of primary and middle schools (Grades K-8).

 

Funds are available for two different types of projects - infrastructure and non-infrastructure activities. Infrastructure-related grants can fund the planning, design, and construction of such things as sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, multi-use paths, and traffic calming within two miles of an elementary or middle school.  Non-infrastructure projects can include enforcement, education and encouragement programs. 

 

If you are a local or regional government, a school or school district, or a community non-profit organization that is ready, willing and able to implement SRTS initiatives, you are invited to submit an application.