The city of Emporia has nearly $1.2 million in state funds for Safe Routes to School improvements planned out several years ago.
Funding is part of Transportation Alternatives Program through the Kansas Department of Transportation. City Engineer Jim Ubert says this continues KDOT’s involvement leading to infrastructure improvements around USD 253 schools, following a Safe Routes study 2 years ago.
Ubert says this will benefit 5 local schools: Emporia High, Emporia Middle School, Riverside, Timmerman and Village. Numerous items were submitted for the Emporia plan, either by the city or USD 253 Emporia.
*Broader school zone signage, new sidewalks, handicapped-accessible curb extensions for Emporia High and Emporia Middle School
*Sidewalk work including repairs or new construction, as well as a median crossing island and remarked crosswalks for Riverside
*New sidewalks and crosswalks for Timmerman
*Advance pedestrian warning signage, new crosswalks and broader school zone signage for Village
The KDOT funding is 90 percent of the total project cost, with the city covering the remaining 10 percent. The city is working with KDOT as planning and design moves to construction within the next 2 years. Ubert says background work will begin relatively soon, starting with work on a contract agreement with KDOT.
Two area cities are also benefiting from this round of funding.
*Alta Vista gets $689,000 for Safe Routes to Schools work near Prairie Heights Elementary
*Council Grove gets over $1.3 million for its Safe Routes Phase 2 program
4:30 am:
The city of Emporia has nearly $1.2 million in state funds for Safe Routes to School improvements planned out several years ago.
Funding is part of Transportation Alternatives Program through the Kansas Department of Transportation. Emporia’s overall project will lead to infrastructure improvements around USD 253 schools.
City Engineer Jim Ubert says the funding is 90 percent of the total project cost, with the city covering the remaining 10 percent. The city is working with KDOT as planning and design moves to construction within the next 2 years.
