As Published - BikeTexas Today - Bike Smarts & Education - July - September 2003

More than $5 million for projects designed to improve children's safety in and around school areas statewide was approved by the Texas Transportation Commission in February. TxDOT, with assistance from the statewide Bicycle Advisory Committee, evaluated and selected the projects. More than 277 projects totaling $45 million were submitted by the December 6 deadline. The TxDOT Commisioners raised the amount of funding from $3 million to $5 million due to the high demand in project applications.

"I am proud to have sponsored the legislation which made this program possible. The death of Matthew Brown will not be forgotten," said State Rep. Roberto Gutierrez, author of the Matthew Brown Act. "I am pleased that bicycle, pedestrian safety advocates, and the Texas Department of Transportation have been able to work together to make this important initiative a reality. I am also glad that the city of McAllen is one of the grantees."

Funded projects include installations of sidewalks, pedestrian/bicycle paths, school zone flashers, crosswalks, bicycle lanes, and a multi-use trail. "This program provides funding that will improve the traveling safety of one of the state's most precious assets - our children," said John W. Johnson, Texas Transportation Commissioner. "We are excited about this program and its beneficial effect on school children."

The Safe Routes to School program is the result of the Texas Bicycle Coalition's House Bill 2204 passed during the 77th Legislature. For more information go to www.saferoutestexas.org.

City of Pflugerville- Sidewalks
City of San Marcos - Sidewalks
Knox City of Munday - Improve Crosswalks (in-pavement lighting)
County of Bee - Sidewalks, Crosswalk
City of DeSoto - Sidewalks, Crosswalk
City of Mesquite - Sidewalks, Crosswalk, Zone Flashers
County of El Paso - Pedestrian/Bicycle Path, Sidewalks
County of El Paso - Sidewalks, Bicycle Lane
City of Weatherford - Sidewalks, Crosswalks
City of La Marque - Sidewalks
City of Pasadena - Sidewalks, Pedestrian Bridges
City of La Porte - Pedestrian/Bicycle Path
City of Lubbock - Sidewalks
City of Lufkin - Sidewalks, Crosswalks
City of Del Rio - Sidewalks
City of Eagle Pass - Sidewalks
City of Odessa - Pedestrian Signals, Crosswalks
City of Rankin - Crosswalk, School Zone Flashers, Flashing Beacons
City of Brownsville - Sidewalks
County of Willacy - Sidewalks
County of Hidalgo - Sidewalks, Crosswalk
County of Hidalgo - Sidewalks
City of McAllen - Sidewalks, Bicycle Lanes, Pedestrian Heads, Overhead School Zone Flashers
City of San Antonio - Crosswalks, School Zone Flashers, School Zone Signs
City of San Angelo - Sidewalks
City of Waco - Sidewalks, Bicycle Lane, Crosswalks
City of Bay City - Multi-use Trail, Pedestrian/Bicycle