SWANSEA – State Senator Christopher Belt announced Belleville will receive a total of $250,000 through Illinois’ Safe Routes to School program to improve pedestrian safety and expand opportunities for children and families to safely walk and bike in their community.
“Keeping children safe on their way to school should always be a top priority,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I am happy to help secure this funding so students and families can have greater peace of mind every day.”
Belleville will use the $250,000 in funding to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety and connectivity near Abraham Lincoln Elementary and West Junior High School. The project will enhance safety along Royal Heights Road through the construction of a shared-use path and upgraded pedestrian crossings, helping students and residents travel more safely and efficiently throughout the area. The improvements are designed to encourage walking and biking while creating safer routes to school for local families.
The Safe Routes to School program is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation using federal funding to improve safety and encourage walking, biking and rolling to school. Projects funded through the program include sidewalk improvements, traffic safety measures, public education efforts and community outreach initiatives.
To read more about the $12 million in statewide grants supporting 68 projects across Illinois, click here.
