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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has awarded Safe Routes to School (SRTS) planning grants to six Kansas communities, aiming to improve how children walk, bike, or roll to school safely.
The selected communities include:
- Alta Vista
- Douglass
- Fort Scott
- Grainfield
- La Crosse
- Leavenworth
These towns have been chosen to receive the 2025–2026 Planning and Programming (P&P) grants, a crucial step toward designing and implementing safer school travel routes.
What the Grants Will Cover
Each planning grant will support the creation of a comprehensive Safe Routes to School plan tailored to local needs. This includes:
- Assessing current infrastructure and travel conditions
- Engaging the public for input and feedback
- Developing both infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions to increase safety and accessibility for students
The finalized plans will serve as a blueprint for each community and also make them eligible to apply for future SRTS construction and implementation grants.
Timeline and Next Steps
- Planning work begins in August 2025
- Final project plans are due by May 2026
These efforts represent a proactive approach to student safety and healthy transportation alternatives.
Previous and Future Grant Opportunities
In the previous round, five communities in Wallace County were awarded P&P grants. Communities interested in applying for the next round of SRTS funding can do so in April 2026 by visiting the KDOT website for eligibility details and guidelines.
The awarding of Safe Routes to School planning grants to six Kansas communities reflects the state’s continued commitment to promoting child safety and active transportation.
With a focus on community engagement and long-term planning, these grants aim to reduce transportation barriers and ensure safer routes for students in both urban and rural settings.