Kahoka Students Will Benefit From New Sidewalks

Kahoka Students Will Benefit From New Sidewalks

HANNIBAL – The City of Kahoka has been awarded a $242,400 grant to build new sidewalks within a two-block radius of Black Hawk Elementary and Clark County Middle schools. The funding comes from the federally funded Safe Routes to School program and is administered by MoDOT.
In addition to the new sidewalks, a new crosswalk will be painted and sign will be installed on sixteen streets within a two block perimeter of the schools to create a safer passage for students and other pedestrians to and from their homes, a city park, restaurants and other businesses.
The Safe Routes to School Program is focused on two kinds of projects; infrastructure projects, such as bike and pedestrian trails giving students a safe path to school; or non-infrastructure projects items such as signage, and speed detectors to aid law enforcement or for materials for a safety related events.
“A majority of the funds for these projects come from the federal government,” explained Paula Gough, Northeast District Engineer with MoDOT. “These funds are specifically set aside for non-roadway projects and cannot be used for highway construction or routine maintenance, such as filling potholes,” she continued. The infrastructure projects are generally focused toward public and private schools, but law enforcement, state, local and regional agencies, and non-for-profit organizations were able to apply.
“The grant is exciting news for the school. Student safety is our top priority and the new sidewalks will make the walk to and from school significantly safer for students. The grant is a combination of the city, health department, school, and community working together to create a safer environment for kids,” said CCR-1 School Superintendent Ritchie Kracht.
A complete list of the 2011 grant recipients can be online at www.modot.mo.gov/safety/SafeRoutestoSchool.htm.