City selected by WSDOT to receive $975,000 in grant funding for sidewalks and pedestrian and bike safety

WSDOT recently announced its 2013-2015 Prioritized Project List for the Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety and Safe Routes to School Grant Programs and it included two Shoreline projects totaling $975,000 in grant funding:

• Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Program - $540,000 for Interurban and Burke Gilman Trail connectors. The project includes filling curb, gutter and sidewalk gaps; making ADA improvements; and installing bike lanes, sharrows, wayfinding and shared-use path connections citywide in residential and commercial areas.

• Safe Routes to School Program – $435,000 for sidewalk improvements around Einstein Middle School. The project includes installing sidewalks, curb, gutter, and curb ramps, and providing educational materials and hosting educational events around safe routes to school. There will also be an emphasis on safety patrols at Einstein Middle School.

The prioritized list will be sent to the Washington State Legislature for final approval and inclusion in the Washington State 2013-2015 budget. Historically, the legislature has not made changes in the prioritized list. Funds will be available July 1, 2013. Both of these projects are fully grant funded and require no additional City funds.

Searching out grant funding is one of the ways the City has been able to stretch its resources and provide the services and infrastructure improvements the community desires.