Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — Walking, biking or riding a scooter to and from school may get a lot easier for Hamilton youths as city officials get approval on federal grants.

A committee of about 17 city and school officials met for the first time Thursday, Aug. 7, following the news that city planners were successful in getting grant approval in the Safe Routes to School program.

Senior City Planner Martin Hudson said the city is among the first in the state to tap into $19 million of federal money slated for planning and building new bike paths and walkways and repairing sidewalks that lead to schools.

The national Safe Routes to School program is an effort to encourage students to walk or ride a bike to school, as a way to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution and childhood obesity.

But the program is also forward-thinking in light of the recent hikes in fuel prices, said Jim Boerke, Hamilton City Schools director of planning, operations and construction management.

"A lot of areas have streets that are pretty narrow. It's difficult enough to park and drive, let alone ride a bike," Boerke said. "It would be great if we could correct that."

The first round of funding will be used to hire an engineering firm to create master plans for four schools: Fillmore and Harrison elementary schools and Garfield and Wilson middle schools, Hudson said. City planners will then apply for construction funds in January, Hudson said.

Committee members will work closely with engineers to identify pathways and address issues at intersections. They'll also get ideas from Bloomington, Ind., where Safe Routes plans have already been implemented.