Canton City School District gets state funding to upgrade crossings and sidewalks

Canton City Schools will receive $500,000 as part of the Ohio Department of Transportation's Safe Routes to School program , which focuses on the safety of children who walk or bike to school.

The project will upgrade signs, flashers, crosswalks and sidewalks surrounding Crenshaw Middle School and Gibbs and Youtz elementary schools for 2027.

ODOT announced the funding on Tuesday.

This year, the program is funding 29 projects in 19 counties with more than $8 million. Safe Routes to School funding will cover project development, right of way acquisition, construction, non-infrastructure programming and school travel planning activities.

“Creating the opportunity for children to walk and bike to school is so important, and this funding will help communities ensure that these routes are as safe as possible,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a prepared statement. “Motorists should also do their part by paying attention, especially in and around schools.”

Projects are selected by the ODOT and the Ohio Department of Health .

The Safe Routes to School program has provided more than $83 million to schools, municipalities, health districts, park districts, or key nonprofit partners to improve safety for students since it started in 2005.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton City School District gets state funding to upgrade crossings and sidewalks