MassDOT officials today joined students, parents, and city and school officials in celebrating the completion of access and safety improvements that will better enable children to walk or bicycle to Central Elementary School in Stoneham. The project was built by MassDOT using federal Safe Routes to School Program funds.
Central Elementary School is a partner in the MassDOT Safe Routes to School Program, which includes more than 400 schools in over 120 communities and works with students, parents, school staff, and local police to promote walking and bicycling to school. This program seeks to improve student health, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality.
As a Safe Routes partner, Central Elementary is provided with education and encouragement activities to increase bicycling and walking activity amongst its students. Schools that partner with MassDOT to offer these are also eligible for federal funding to build infrastructure projects specifically targeted at helping children get to school safely and conveniently.
The Central Elementary School project will slow vehicle traffic, improve street crossings, and upgrade sidewalks, with enhancements including new sidewalks and curbing. New sidewalks with new curbing along Central Street and an extension of the existing sidewalk at the school entrance have been completed.
Safe Routes to School is federally-funded and administered by the MassRIDES travel options program on behalf of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. To find out how your school can participate, contact Rebecca Cyr at rebecca.cyr@state.ma.us or visit www.mass.gov/massdot/saferoutes.
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