The Louisiana Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School program (LASRTS) will open the 7^th cycle of funding January 2, 2013. Throughout the first six application cycles, LASRTS has funded 65 applicants; providing improvements to 88 schools around the state. Louisiana expects to fund more than $2 million in projects in the 2013 application cycle. Applications are due March 1, 2013.

In Louisiana, potential Safe Routes applicants have the opportunity to submit both comprehensive Safe Routes to School projects and non-infrastructure only projects. Comprehensive projects allow the applicant to enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety for school children by combining improvements to the physical environment around schools with education, encouragement, evaluation and enforcement activities. Comprehensive projects ensure a holistic approach to programming. These applications are funded up to a maximum of $300,000 per application. The non-infrastructure only option is available for applicants whose schools have sufficient infrastructure but lack the other four “E’s” (education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation). These non-infrastructure only applications are funded up to a maximum of $150,000 per application. All potential applicants are encouraged to contact the State Coordinator for more information as they prepare for the upcoming funding cycle.

For more information on the Louisiana Safe Routes to School program, please contact SRTS Coordinator, Shalanda Cole, at (504) 234-6261 or visit the program website.