The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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May 29, 2010

Safe Routes to School to fund area projects

City to improve biking, walking routes with funds

By Matthew Jackson Staff Reporter

HUNTSVILLE — The Texas Transportation Commission has approved more than $1 million to fund five City of Huntsville projects to provide new biking and walking routes to several Huntsville schools.

The funding is part of the more than $54 million approved by the commission for projects around the state as part of the Safe Routes to School program, which provides educational programs and new infrastructure to give children safe routes to walk or bike to school.

A total of $1,134,935 was awarded to the City of Huntsville to construct new sidewalks, bike paths and footpaths and install bicycle lanes at Huntsville Intermediate School, Scott Johnson Elementary School, Samuel Houston Elementary School and Mance Park Middle School.

The commission initially received nearly 300 applications from communities around the state for SRTS funding, and Thursday announced that 200 of those applicants, including Huntsville, had been awarded funding.

“We are excited about this latest round of Safe Routes to School funding,” said Ted Houghton, Texas Transportation Commissioner. “The number of children that walk and bike to school has declined significantly over the last 40 years. We believe these projects will help children and parents make healthier lifestyle choices that will have long-term positive impacts for our state.”

For more information on the program, visit http://www.txdot.gov/saf-ety/safe_routes/default.htm.

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