Commitment to school access
We recognize the benefits of active transportation and encourage walking and bicycling. Active transportation promotes community health, reduces traffic congestion and improves community livability.
Providing students, families, staff and communities the roads, crossings, sidewalks, trails and traffic safety measures to safely walk, ride and roll to and around schools is important to active transportation.
School Access Improvement Study (SAIS)
The 2016 School Access Improvement Study (SAIS) evaluated access to 53 public schools on County roads in urban unincorporated Washington County or within cities. This study helps us prioritize projects to improve safety and increase active transportation. Study goals include:
- Understanding needs
- Identifying beneficial projects
- Prioritizing projects
- Identifying opportunities to leverage funding
In 2016, the Board of Commissioners committed $2 million per year for 10 years in Gain Share funding to support projects identified in the SAIS. The funding leverages other funding sources throughout the 10-year program. These funding sources include:
- MSTIP Opportunity Fund
- Regional Flexible Funds
- Community Development Block Grants
- Urban Road Maintenance District
For more information, email Shelley Oylear, Bicycle and Pedestrian coordinator.
Safe Routes to School
We introduced Safe Routes to School (SRTS) in Washington County in 2013. The program brings transportation and education leaders together to encourage children to walk and bicycle safely to school as part of a healthy daily routine.
We work to increase SRTS programs and to build partnerships among city and county agencies, schools, community organizations and neighborhoods. SRTS relies on these partners to improve safety and encourage walking and biking to school. To learn more, watch our videos:
Contact(s)
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Shelley Oylear
|
Safe Routes to School Coordinator
|