Wisconsin
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Safe Routes to School Funding in Wisconsin | Success Stories | Wisconsin Partner Affiliates | Existing Legislation and Policies
Safe Routes to School Funding in Wisconsin
From 2005-2012, each state received federal funding specifically for Safe Routes to School projects via the federal transportation legislation SAFTEA-LU. Many states still have funds remaining from the Safe Routes to School program; see our State of the States quarterly tracking report to see whether this funding is still available in Wisconsin. To learn more about federal funding for Safe Routes to School, read through the Five Steps to Federal Funding: A Brief Explanation of the Safe Routes to School Program Process. You can find additional resources in our national learning network too.
In July 2012, Congress passed a new transportation bill, MAP-21, which consolidated several bicycling and walking programs, including Safe Routes to School, into a new program called Transportation Alternatives. Starting in 2013, states have the option to continue running standalone Safe Routes to School programs or to have Safe Routes to School projects contend with other types of projects in a Transportation Alternatives competition.
Additional information on how Transportation Alternatives works is available in our National Policy section.
Application Guidelines
Wisconsin has funded 135 local Safe Routes to School projects totaling more than $15.2 million. State, local and regional agencies, and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for Safe Routes to School infrastructure and non-infrastructure funds. Safe Routes to School projects require no local matching funds.
Visit the Wisconsin Safe Routes to School program website for more information.
State Outreach Programs
Free and low cost Safe Routes to School trainings are offered throughout the state in the months preceding application cycles. A quarterly newsletter, The Safe Routes Reporter, is available online or by signing up for the email listserv. Information on the newsletter and instructions on joining the email list are available at the Wisconsin Safe Routes to School website.
Wisconsin has developed a Safe Routes to School Toolkit with supplemental CD. Broken down into downloadable sections, the Toolkit includes the materials necessary to help communities at any stage of the process plan a successful Safe Routes to School program.
State Advisory Committee
Wisconsin has a state advisory committee.
Success Stories
If you would like to submit a success story for consideration, please email it to Margaux Mennesson.
On December 4, 2012, Governor Scott Walker today announced grants totaling $3,388,573, which will assist 17 Wisconsin communities with Safe Routes to School projects in 2013. The federally-funded reimbursement program encourages children in grades K-8 to walk or bike to school, when safe and practical.
“We are proud to partner with local communities to develop safe bicycling and walking accommodations for our students,” said Governor Walker. “Promoting these forms of transportation creates healthy habits at a young age.”
2013 projects include multi-use trails, bike racks, traffic calming, sidewalk improvements, bike and pedestrian education, and enforcement activities. Of the 17 projects, five are for planning purposes, while 12 are for infrastructure improvements to support existing Safe Routes to School programs.
Since 2007, WisDOT has distributed approximately $13 million in federal funds for projects that make biking and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative. Additional information about WisDOT’s Safe Routes to School program is online at: www.dot.wisconsin.gov/localgov/aid/saferoutes.htm.
Contact:
Wisconsin Partner Affiliates
Find out which organizations in your state have pledged their support for the Safe Routes to School movement. If your organization isn't yet a partner affilate, we would love for you to join us; it's free! Find more info on joining here.
Existing Legislation and Policies
More info coming soon.