Mayor Rawlings-Blake Celebrates Safe Routes to School Safety Initiatives in School Zones Throughout the City
Federal grant provides funding for safety improvements near schools.
Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was joined by Councilman William “Pete” Welch, Department of Transportation Director Khalil Zaied, and students of Mary Ann Winterling Elementary School to announce new safety initiatives being implemented in school zones throughout the city. Federal transportation grant funding supports necessary infrastructure improvements that will help to protect children as they walk to school each day.
Infrastructure improvements will be made in 26 school zones across the city with the support of $2 million in federal grant funding. The Department of Transportation will install pedestrian countdown signals, new crosswalks, and ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps. Standback lines will also be painted on various sidewalks to encourage children to stand away from the curb while waiting to cross city streets. In addition, flashing school beacons will be installed to heighten awareness of increased pedestrian activity.
“It is our responsibility to improve the safety of the routes our children take to get to school every day,” said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. “By taking a strategic approach to improving our sidewalks and crosswalks, we can make our streets safer for pedestrians all year long.”
The City also announced that eleven City schools will begin to participate in ‘Walking School Bus’ programs during the month of October. An adult or parent will supervise a group of students who walk or bike to and from school every day. Like a bus, the parent will stop for children along the designated route to school. The routes are devised by school principals in consultation with parents and guardians. The eleven schools starting their walking school bus programs during the month of October include:
- Barclay Elementary/Middle
- Beechfield Elementary/Middle
- Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary
- Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary
- James McHenry Elementary/Middle
- Lockerman Bundy Elementary
- Mary Ann Winterling Elementary
- Patterson Park Charter Public Elementary/Middle
- Steuart Hill Academy Elementary/MiddleWestside Elementary
- Mount Washington Elementary/Middle
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