Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a federally-funded initiative to encourage and enable more children, K-8th grade, to walk & bike to school. It also encourages a healthy lifestyle and aims to decrease traffic around schools and reduce pollution. For more information, visit the National Center for Safe Routes to School website at www.saferoutesinfo.org.
Wisconsin Safe Routes
Wisconsin’s SRTS Program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The program provides assistance to local communities to create and administer SRTS Programs and fund SRTS projects. Infrastructure-related projects must be within 2-miles of an elementary or middle-school; eligible projects include such things as sidewalk improvements, crosswalks and signage. Funds are also available for non-infrastructure projects such as SRTS Plans, education materials, encouragement programs and public awareness campaigns. Grants are awarded through a statewide competitive application process. For more information on the state grant program and other helpful resources, visit the Wisconsin Safe Routes to School website at www.dot.wisconsin.gov/localgov/aid/saferoutes.htm
Marshfield Safe Routes
In 2007, the City of Marshfield, in partnership with the Marshfield School District and Marshfield Area Catholic Schools, applied for and was awarded a planning grant to prepare a SRTS Plan for eight (8) participating schools in the City of Marshfield.
Over the course of a year, Marshfield’s SRTS Task Force worked in conjunction with a WisDOT planning consultant to help prepare The City of Marshfield Safe Routes to School Plan 2008-2013.
Marshfield’s SRTS Plan examines conditions and attitudes in the community and around the 8 participating schools, identifies community-wide and school-specific issues and recommendations, and includes an action plan with reasonably attainable goals under each of the 5 core areas of a SRTS Program: Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, Engineering and Evaluation.
The Plan is a three-to-five year implementation guide to provide the structure needed to keep the Marshfield SRTS Program going.
Final Plan Documents
Participating Schools
Grant Elementary
Lincoln Elementary
Madison Elementary
Marshfield Middle
Washington Elementary
Columbus Catholic Middle
Our Lady of Peace Intermediate
St. John the Baptist Primary
Marshfield Safe Routes Projects - In Progress
** These specific projects are funded by current Safe Routes to School Infrastructure/Non-Infrastructure Grants.
Washington Elementary School – Upgraded Signage & New Bike Racks
Status of Project: Design Oversight, Projected Construction SPRING 2009
- Upgraded Signage – Existing stop signs at the intersection of 11th Street/Schmidt Ave. will be replaced with flashing stop signs. School zone signs will be replaced with programmable yellow flashing solar signs.
- New bike racks will be purchased.
Grant Elementary School – Pavement Markings & Upgraded Signage
Status of Project: Design Oversight, Projected Construction SPRING 2009
- Pavement markings – Ladder-style crosswalks will be installed at Fig/Upham, Upham/Walnut, and mid-block on North Fig Avenue.
- Upgraded Signage – Flashing solar stop sign will be installed at Oak/Upham, both directions. School zone signs will be replaced with programmable yellow flashing solar signs.
New Radar Speed Trailer
Status of Project: Design Oversight, Projected Purchase WINTER 2008/SPRING 2009
A new radar speed display will be purchased for use in the school zones, predominately around Washington and Grant Elementary Schools. Speeding has been a big concern around these two schools in particular; a radar speed display will be used as a visual queue to motorists to remind them of the speed limit, provide feedback on their speed, and provide the city feedback on the number of speeding vehicles at specific locations.
Education Program - Ongoing thru 2010
- A SRTS Task Force will develop and help implement educational programs for students, parents, educators and the public. The educational program will include specific programs proposed in the grant application, as well as some programs recommended by The City of Marshfield Safe Routes To School Plan 2008-1013.