Oldtown project gets funding
OLDTOWN — As a result of a five-fold increase in available funding for the state's Children Pedestrian Safety Program, 45 cities and towns throughout the state, including Oldtown, have been awarded a total of $10,000,000 in grants to build pedestrian projects.
Oldtown received a $94,000 grant to fund a project to address crossing issues and add RRFB — rectangular rapid flashing beacons — to improve pedestrian safety in the community.
Previously limited to $2,000,000 a year, Governor Brad Little included the full $10,000,000 in his 2022-2023 budget recommendation to the Legislature. Even with the additional available funding, 79 Idaho communities requested $17,759,490 in grants, far exceeding the available funds.
The purpose of the Children Pedestrian Safety Program is to provide grants to Idaho communities to build sidewalks, crosswalks and pathways to improve safety for both adults and children who walk or bike to school. The program is in its fourth year and the 2022-2023 request by Governor Little and its approval by the Legislature far exceeds the $2,000,000 appropriated for the program’s first three years.
In 2022 Governor Little recognized the need to commit state surplus dollars to the program in an effort to decrease or eliminate the backlog of unfunded projects. According to Cynthia Gibson, Executive Director of the Idaho Walk Bike Alliance, which promoted and supported the legislation, “In the past, applications have come from all corners of Idaho from the largest cities to the smallest towns and because of cities’ and towns’ commitment to their residents, the program never lacks worthy applications, especially since this is the only source of state funds dedicated to walking or biking.”
As Gibson noted, “Idaho communities often do not have the funds to design and build infrastructure for non-drivers. These grants will allow parents to feel comfortable about their child walking to school, the library or the park. As our state becomes increasingly car-centric and roads are designed to accommodate more motor vehicles, well-designed sidewalks and crosswalks will save lives. Thanks to the support from Governor Little and the Idaho Legislature, this program and these grants will do just that.”
The Idaho Walk Bike Alliance is Idaho’s only statewide pedestrian and biking organization who mission is to promote active transportation as healthy, safe, and reliable for all Idahoans.
Information: Idaho Walk Bike Alliance, idahowalkbike.org