CITY OF WEST COLUMBIA SUPPORTS SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN City of West Columbia : April 13, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE City of West Columbia Supports Safe Routes to School Plan The West Columbia City Council passed a resolution Monday night supporting the preparation and submittal of a Safe Routes to School Plan (SRTS) for the Columbia-Brazoria Independent School District. “The SRTS program encourages elementary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school through grants made for infrastructure, education, enforcement incentives and safety programs”, said Laurie Kincannon, Mayor of West Columbia. Community Planner Rachel Steele with Edminster Hinshaw Russ & Associates, has worked to prepare preliminary SRTS plans for Barrow, West Columbia and Wild Peach Elementary Schools. The preliminary plans, which will be unveiled to the public in early May, identify safe walking corridors to get to school as well as infrastructure projects that will improve drop-off and pick-up procedures around the schools. The most significant component of the plans will include updated safety signage and speed enforcement capabilities around the schools. As part of the SRTS Project each school prepares its own Safe Routes Plan, which result in unique and campus specific recommendations to improve pedestrian access and safety. Some of the components of the SRTS plans include an enhanced sidewalk system surrounding the residential area adjacent to West Columbia Elementary, a walking trail to connect Barrow Elementary to West Brazos Junior High as well as improved school zone signs and traffic enhancements around Wild Peach Elementary. The SRTS Program is administered by the Texas Department of Transportation. Projects will be applied for based on priority as the Texas Department of Transportation provides grants funding opportunities. “This grant program is a unique way to provide connectivity and enhance the quality of life for residents in the community. We hope that the City can reap the rewards of proactively planning through this program very soon”, remarked Mayor Kincannon. The next step in the SRTS process includes a set of public meetings hosted by the Columbia-Brazoria School District in early May to review the proposed school plans. Upon receiving final comments from the community the plans will be submitted for acceptance into the SRTS program in late May. Contact: Debbie Sutherland, City Manager dasutherland@warpspeed1.net (979)345-3123 ###