Safe Routes To School
Program Description
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is a federal-funded, sustained effort by community members and governments to enable and encourage children to safely walk, roll (i.e., wheelchair), or bicycle to school. Federal funds allocated to this program are reimbursable and available for infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects that benefit elementary and middle school children in grades K-8. The program is administered by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) and requires a minimum 20-percent cash-match contribution.
Purpose of SRTS projects
- Enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk, roll, and bicycle to school;
- Make bicycling, walking, and rolling to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and
- 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 of elementary and middle schools.
SRTS Projects in Carroll County:
County staff from the Department of Planning and Land Management (Bureau of Comprehensive Planning) and Department of Public Works (Bureau of Building Construction) are working on SRTS sidewalk project – Washington Road (MD 32). SRTS sidewalk project – Johnsville Road was completed in 2023.
Washington Road (MD 32) Sidewalk Project:
This project, located south of Westminster, will extend the sidewalk and add crosswalks on the east side of Washington Road from Washington Lane south to Kate Wagner Road. The new sidewalk and crosswalks will extend the sidewalk network on the east side of MD 32 and is aimed to encourage students at Robert Moton Elementary School, which is located south of Kate Wagner Road, to walk, bike, or roll to school from their homes. [SRTS funding for this project is anticipated to cover 100 percent of the project’s design and construction costs. Because this project is older, it falls under a former funding source that covers 100 of eligible costs. Newer projects fall under the current funding source, which requires a minimum 20-percent local match.]
Johnsville Road Sidewalk Project:
This project was completed in 2023! In the Eldersburg/Freedom area of the County, sidewalk was extended, and crosswalks added, to the southeast side of Johnsville Road from opposite of Victor Drive to Bartholow Road. The project aimed to encourage students at Eldersburg Elementary School to walk, bike, or roll to school from their homes. SRTS funding covered 80 percent of the project’s design and construction costs.