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City awarded funds for safe school routes

City and Hamilton schools working together to improve student sidewalks.

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By Linda Ebbing, Staff Writer 9:45 PM Sunday, May 24, 2009

HAMILTON — The City of Hamilton in conjunction with the Hamilton City Schools has been awarded $117,700 through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s “Safe Routes to School” program.

The program provides funds for projects that enable children, including those with disabilities, to walk or ride their bikes to school to encourage physical activity and make traveling to and from school a safer, more enjoyable experience.

The money will be used to improve crosswalks and railroad crossings to make it easier to cross with a bicycle, and eventually to repair and install sidewalks.

“Particular measures we will deal with are the traffic speeds coming down Michael Fox Highway at the Fair Avenue crossing located by Garfield Middle School, which also will benefit Fairwood Elementary,” said Larry Bagford, Hamilton planning and zoning specialist. “Hopefully, these improvements will encourage students to walk to school and make parents feel better about their kids walking to school and get involved with that process.”

Funding also will be used to provide pedestrian and bicycle safety training.

“Safety for our students is a high priority for the school district,” said Joni Copas, district spokeswoman. “We appreciate working in collaboration with the city to make our community a safer environment and look forward to working together on future opportunities.”

Plans are to apply for another $120,000 in the fall.

The City of Hamilton’s Public Works Department will supervise the implementation of the work scheduled to begin in the summer of 2010.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2158 or lebbing@coxohio.com.

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