The NCDOT Safe Routes to School Program is a federally funded program initiated through the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) in 2005. The legislation establishes a national SRTS program to distribute funding and institutional support to implement SRTS programs. SRTS programs facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.
The Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation at NCDOT distributes SRTS funding through a competitive application process. The state of North Carolina has been allocated $15 million in Safe Routes to School funding for fiscal years 2005 through 2009 for infrastructure or non-infrastructure projects. Non-infrastructure projects include education or encouragement programs to increase walking and biking to school. Infrastructure projects include the construction of pedestrian facilities within 2 miles of an elementary or middle school. Wake Forest applied to NCDOT for a SRTS infrastructure grant and will be fully funded for the project.
PROJECT SCOPE
The project's goal is to build and extend sidewalks within a one-mile radius of Wake Forest Elementary and Middle Schools and provide bike racks on school grounds.
At Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle School, the grant would fund a 10-foot-wide multi-use path from South Main Street onto the school grounds to connect with the front entrance, with lighting along the path to enhance early morning safety.
At Wake Forest Elementary School, the grant would fund pedestrian signals at South Main Street and Elm Avenue with high visibility crosswalks, more signs, a wheelchair ramp at the school driveway, and radar-feedback speed warning signs.
On South Wingate Street near Wake Forest Elementary School, a sidewalk will be installed on the east side between Sycamore Avenue and the northernmost driveway serving the Boys and Girls Club. Radar-feedback speed warning signs also will be installed on South Wingate Street. Wake Forest received a $300,000 grant award for this project.
The Town has procured the design services of WSP SELLS for this project who will provide shovel ready plans for construction. Anticipated project completion date February 2012.