The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has awarded $45 million to California cities and counties to fund 88 projects for Safe Routes to School, a program designed to provide infrastructure and education to give students easier and healthier ways to safely travel to and from schools.

“Safety is Caltrans’ number one priority, and nothing is more important than ensuring the health and safe passage of our children,” said Caltrans Director Will Kempton.

California expects to receive $68 million in federal funding for Safe Routes to School during the program’s five-year lifespan. Seventy percent of funds will go toward infrastructure projects, including new crosswalks and signage; 20 percent will be allocated to non-infrastructure projects such as faculty and student education; and 10 percent will be used to develop standardized training, promotional materials, curriculums, and other resources.

Safe Routes to School benefits children in elementary or middle schools, and improvements to the infrastructure must be made within 2 mi. of a school.

For the list of funded projects by region, visit http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/saferoute2.htm.