BATON ROUGE, La. – According to state transportation officials, elementary and middle schools wishing to apply for funding through the Safe Routes to School Program should submit an application by Jan. 16, 2007.

The Safe Routes to School Program aims to improve the health of kids and the community by making walking and bicycling to school safer, easier and more enjoyable. The program works to assess the safety of school travel routes; make changes to current conditions; educate students and drivers about safe travel; and encourage walking and biking to school.

DOTD has received approximately $9 million to fund Safe Routes to School projects throughout the state over the next three years.

Applications for the grants can be found at www.dotd.la.gov. Interested organizations should submit an application to Shalanda Cole, Safe Routes to School Program Manager, Louisiana DOTD, P.O. Box 94245, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9245.

A selection committee will rank applicants according to scoring criteria listed on the application.

For more information about the program, email Cole at shalandacole@dotd.la.gov

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www.dotd.la.gov