The city of Emporia and USD 253 Emporia are collaborating on a plan that could lead to improved transportation around local schools.
Safe Routes to Schools is an infrastructure project that is approved and fully funded by the Kansas Department of Transportation. City Engineering staffer Jon Proehl says there is an interactive period ending April 7 that gives parents and guardians a chance to give their thoughts on several things, including how students get to school.
The interactive survey also lets residents pinpoint different specific areas of concern around all Emporia schools, as well as the nature of those concerns and suggested remedies. Click here for the link.
Proehl says the city submitted a Safe Routes to Schools grant to the state last fall and was approved in January. The exact funding amount is to be determined. Emporia is one of five cities to receive funding through this grant cycle. It also has the most schools — eight — currently being studied for improvements.
Actual construction processes are pending at this time. The study consultants will then come to Emporia almost immediately after the survey is completed. A plan first draft could be done by late May, with the final draft possibly written before the end of the academic year in late June.
