Draft Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School plan presented; $250,000 earmarked per city for priority projects

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County presented the Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School draft plan to Soledad’s council on Nov. 6. Senior planner Amelia Conlon described a three‑year planning effort that included steering committees, walking audits, parent and student surveys, community participatory budgeting and a pilot quick‑build project on Front Street.

Conlon said the plan identifies priority corridors, program and infrastructure recommendations for 22 schools across the Salinas Valley and is intended as a tool to increase student safety, reduce school‑period congestion and improve grant competitiveness. Funding was described as a mix of Caltrans grant support and local Measure X matching funds, and TAMC allocated $250,000 per city to construct highest‑priority projects identified through the participatory budget.

Council concerns and next steps: Council members stressed coordination with the school district on drop‑off/pick‑up patterns, enforcement, possible staggered start times, and the need to align on‑campus and on‑street measures. TAMC confirmed it has been meeting with principals and plans to present the draft to the district; staff told council the final plan will return for adoption in January and will support future grant applications.

Why it matters: The plan links safety improvements to funding eligibility, and council members framed it as an opportunity to both improve child safety and to reduce traffic congestion around schools.