Marion receives Safe Routes to School grant
Marion has been awarded a $15,000 planning grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation, to develop a proposal for creating safer routes to school, according to City of Marion economic development director Jami Williams.
A press release from KDOT indicates the intent of the Safe Routes to Schools project is to encourage more children to walk or ride bicycles to school.
Williams said Marion children would benefit if the plans developed through this grant turn into reality.
"We're lacking sidewalks," she said. "Kids walk in the street, with no sidewalks or crosswalks in key spots." She also noted the lack of designated bike routes.
The first step in the planning process will be for the city to hire an engineer, which Williams anticipates will happen within the next 30 days.
"The grant is actually for kindergarten through eighth grades, so it would include the middle school as well," said Williams, noting that Marion Middle School and Marion High School share a location.
Williams indicated development of the plan will involve a traffic study, surveys of parents, students, and drivers, and public hearings, to be held in January or February.
"We will determine if any infrastructure changes need to be made, and if we need to do things like reroute traffic, have crossing guards, or have designated bike routes," she said.
The final engineering report, with recommendations, should be finished in April or May, Williams said.
Once the report is finalized, the city will be eligible to apply to KDOT for Phase II funding, of up to $250,000, to implement the plan.
