ANNOUNCEMENT: Call for Cycle 3 Federal Safe Routes to School Projects
Application Submittal Deadline: July 15,2011
What is the Federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program?
A reimbursement funding program for reducing injuries and fatalities through capital (engineering) projects that improve safety for
children in grades K-8 who walk or bicycle to school and through non-infrastructure projects that incorporate education, encouragement,
and enforcement activities that are intended to change community behavior, attitudes, and social norms to increase the numbers of
children walking and bicycling to school. Evaluation is a key component of the program and is required for both infrastructure and noninfrastructure
projects.
How much funding is available?
$42 M in federal funds is the targeted funding projected for this call based upon the total amount of programming capacity available in
the current Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) to be adjusted if necessary due to a pending federal transportation act.
How are projects selected?
Caltrans Districts are apportioned funds based upon student enrollment. District review committees will score and rate applications
using standardized evaluation forms furnished by Caltrans Headquarters. Once projects are selected and prioritized, Districts will submit
their list to Caltrans Headquarters who will validate District selections and compile a statewide list of selected projects for Director
approval. Districts will notify all applicants of the results.
Who is eligible to apply?
Any local or regional agency is eligible to apply for SRTS funds. The local or regional agency is the City/County/Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO)/Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) who serves as the responsible agency and partner to a Project
Sponsor such as the School District, County Public Health Agencies and other non-profit organizations. Federally-recognized Native
American Tribes in which schools on tribal lands are benefited may also apply for SRTS funds.
What types of projects are eligible?
Capital projects must fall under the broad categories of pedestrian facilities, traffic calming measures, installation of traffic control
devices, construction of bicycle facilities, and public outreach/education/enforcement. See guidelines for examples. Up to 10% of the
construction cost can fund an education/encouragement/enforcement element in an infrastructure project. Stand alone non-infrastructure
projects may include: conducting SRTS workshops, walkability audits, conducting student assemblies for pedestrian and bicycle safety,
and developing walking school bus or bicycle train programs to name a few.
Is there a local match required, and what is the maximum amount of funding that can be requested?
There is no local match required. $1,000,000 is the maximum amount that can be requested for an infrastructure project and $500,000 for
a non-infrastructure project.
Where are the guidelines and applications posted, and how can I get more information?
www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/saferoutes/saferoutes.htm
Where do I send my application(s)?
The application must be submitted by the on-line application process. In addition, two hard-copies(color preferred) must be sent to your
Caltrans District Local Assistance Engineer (DLAE) by the deadline. Applications post marked on the deadline are acceptable. DLAE
information is available at:
www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/dlae.htm