Governor Haslam Announces $2.1 Million in Safe Routes to School Grants

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced Safe Routes to School funding totaling $2.1 for 15 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.

"Increased physical activity is key to improving the health of Tennessee families," Haslam said. "The Safe Routes to School Program helps communities across the state create safer walking and biking environments for students and funds activities that encourage healthy lifestyles."

Cities receiving Safe Routes to School funds are (click on each link for copies of individual press releases for each recipient). Grants are in .pdf format:

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

"The Safe Routes to School program integrates health, safety, traffic relief, and environmental awareness, all under one umbrella," said Commissioner Schroer. "Funds may be used for infrastructure projects and non-infrastructure activities that directly support increased safety and conveniences for students to walk and bike to and from school."

Since 2005, the Safe Routes to School grants have funded improvement projects at 138 schools across Tennessee. Nationally, more than 14,500 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 http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/bikeped/saferoutes.htm.

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