Bicknell council backs exploring Safe Routes to School grants for new elementary school

Thomas (Tom), a Bicknell resident, told the town council on March 6 that Utah’s Safe Routes to School program offers grants for signage, crosswalks, pavement markings and other infrastructure to improve student safety. Tom said he would volunteer to attend a regional seminar in April to learn how to apply and offered to help prepare an application. "We have the opportunity to attend a seminar in April, learn how to apply for grants that will allow us to get signage, asphalt markings, crosswalks," Tom said.

Council members pressed for coordination with the school district and UDOT, noting the district’s current site plan appears to stop at the edge of the roadway without providing for sidewalks or parent drop-off routing. Members asked whether buses would use Center Street or loop through side streets; Tom and others said bus routing and parent drop-off patterns will determine where signage and crosswalks are most needed. The council emphasized the need for collaboration among the town, the school district and UDOT because each agency controls different sections of right of way.

The council welcomed Tom's offer to attend the seminar and to return with information to guide an application and any interagency requests. No formal appropriation or application decision was made on March 6; members suggested bringing the topic to a future work meeting after the seminar to decide whether to pursue an infrastructure or non-infrastructure grant.