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When will there be another
call for projects? |
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We anticipate another program call within the next two
years, but it is contingent upon the reauthorization of the
new Federal Transportation Bill.
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What types of projects are
eligible? |
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Projects eligible to receive funding under the SRTS program include those
involving both infrastructure and non-infrastructure related activities.An
infrastructure project is a construction project designed to improve the bicycle
and pedestrian safety of students in grades K-8. Infrastructure projects must be
located within the public right of way (or private land with legal public
easement) and within a two-mile radius of an eligible school.
Eligible infrastructure projects include (but are not
limited to): sidewalk improvements; pedestrian and bicycle
crossing improvements; on-street bicycle facilities;
off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities; traffic
diversion improvements and traffic diversion away from
school zones or designated routes to a school; traffic
calming and speed reduction improvements on local roads;
secure bicycle parking facilities; and other projects that
promote pedestrian and bicycle safety of children within a
two-mile radius of an eligible school.
Non-infrastructure-related activities encourage walking
and bicycling to school and may include: public awareness
campaigns and outreach to press and community leaders;
traffic education and enforcement; student education on
bicycle and pedestrian safety, health, and environment; and
other projects that promote pedestrian and bicycle safety of
children in and around schools.
For further guidance on non-infrastructure activities see
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's
Safe Routes to Schools: Practice and Promise, and
Safe Routes to School Toolkit. Additional
ideas are available at the
National Center for Safe Routes to School Clearinghouse.
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Can educational materials
and programs be paid for through this program? |
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Who pays the local match
for projects on local roads around schools? |
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No local match is required. The SRTS program is a 100-percent federally funded
cost-reimbursement program, which means recipients of the funds will front
the cost of the project and will be reimbursed during the course of the project.
On infrastructure projects, cost overruns may be the responsibility of the local
government. Costs incurred prior to federal authorization are not eligible for
reimbursement.
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Is there a limit on how
much funding I can request for each project? |
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There is a maximum federal reimbursement amount for the construction costs of
any single infrastructure project of $500,000. Additional authorized project
costs are eligible for federal reimbursement, but must be included in the
application budget.
The maximum federal reimbursement
for a Non-Infrastructure Plan Implementation Project is $100,000. The maximum
federal reimbursement for a Non-Infrastructure Plan Statewide Services Project
is $500,000.
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Can existing roadways by my
school be resurfaced? |
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No. Existing roadways may be widened to incorporate bike lanes or to accommodate
pedestrians more easily, but SRTS funds may not be used to maintain existing
roadways.
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Can a new roadway to my
school be built? |
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No. New sidewalks or new bike lanes may be built, but new
roadways may not be built with SRTS funds.
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If my project is selected
for funding, how long will I have to complete the project? |
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Infrastructure projects will have a 2-year period from the date of
project award to be let to contract. Non-infrastructure projects time lines will
be established based on the type of work to be performed.
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When is the construction of
a turn lane eligible for the SRTS program? |
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Construction of a turn lane may be eligible for SRTS funding if it provides a
clear, direct, demonstrable benefit to the safety of bicyclists and/or
pedestrians. Some examples may include:
- Construction of a designated bicycle left turn lane.
- Construction of a left turn lane on a two-lane facility
with existing bicycle lanes to keep vehicular traffic from
entering the bicycle lane to avoid traffic stopped for a
left turn.
- Construction of a right turn lane on a two-lane facility
with existing bicycle lanes to keep vehicular traffic from
entering the bicycle lane to complete their right turn.
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Can the SRTS program pay
for the installation of new sidewalks, crosswalks or traffic control at
the site of a future school or a school under construction? |
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No. Eligible SRTS infrastructure project sites must be within two miles of
an existing eligible school. Eligible schools are public or private schools that
contain any of the grades from K-8.
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Does an infrastructure
project require submission in the metropolitan planning organization's
(MPO) or regional planning affiliation's Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP) and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program
(STIP) prior to applying for SRTS funding? |
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No, however applicants should work with their MPO or regional planning
affiliation prior to submitting an infrastructure project application to ensure
local support and consistency with regulations.
If the project is selected for funding and is located within
an MPO or regional planning group, it will need to be
programmed in their TIP and STIP. |
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125 East 11th Street . Austin, Texas 78701 
