Central ND News

U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer and Ed Markey have introduced the Safe Routes Improvement Act, aimed at enhancing accessibility to the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program for communities in North Dakota and across the United States. The program, established nearly two decades ago, focuses on making it safer for students who walk or bike to school by funding infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes.

The proposed legislation requires state departments of transportation to appoint an SRTS program coordinator. This role will serve as a contact point for local governments and school districts seeking to access SRTS funds for community projects.

Senator Cramer has previously worked on expanding the program's eligibility from elementary and middle school students to include high school students through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). As a result of BIL, North Dakota received over $3 million in SRTS funding for projects in various communities including Minot, Bismarck, Horace, Milnor, Linton, Carson, Fargo, Bowman, and Belfield.

Cramer stated: "As someone who walks to work every morning when I’m in Washington, I know how essential safe routes are for the kids who walk or bike to school." He added that the legislation aims to simplify access to Safe Routes funding for school districts and rural communities.

Markey emphasized: "Every child deserves a safe journey to and from school," highlighting that having a Safe Routes coordinator in each state would help design safer streets. Blue Weber from Bolton & Menk supported this view by stating that coordinators are crucial for ensuring projects reflect community needs.

Safe Routes Partnership praised Senator Cramer's leadership in strengthening the program which supports diverse communities' transportation needs. They noted that having dedicated coordinators would expand the program's reach.

Safe Kids Grand Forks also expressed support for Cramer's efforts at a national level. They highlighted their work with SRTS programs in North Dakota and Minnesota as evidence of effective partnerships improving student safety.