The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) provides a Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) Grants. The grants are built on the 5-E's Concept of Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation through funding projects that remove the barriers which prevent children, parents, and the community from walking or bicycling to and from school safely. Barriers may include lack of infrastructure or unsafe infrastructure, education, and traffic control.
The Town successfully secured a former SRTS Grant (Resolution No.08-633; Resolution No.14-1181) to assist in funding the Miami Lakeway North and South Project, constructing a shared use path, tree removal and installation, and signal modification. The Bob Graham Education Center, located at 15901 NW 79th Avenue in Miami Lakes, serves Miami Lakes students in grades K through 8. Traffic congestion occurs during drop off and dismissal peak times on NW 79th Avenue, a two-lane access road located adjacent to the school and numerous residential homes. This roadway provides limited access for students, teachers, and parents. The grant will focus on improving and enhancing pedestrian infrastructure on NW 79th Avenue, including widening sidewalks, installing curb ramps, and updating crosswalks, inviting students and parents to walk and bicycle to and from this school safely.
Coordination and support from the School Board and Principal are vital elements of the proposal. Thus, the Town held a SRTS Grant Strategy Meeting on November 7, 2017 to discuss the proposed project. The meeting was attended by Town Staff, Bob Graham Education Center Principal, School Resource Officer, UM WalkSafe Program Coordinator, and the FDOT Community Traffic Safety Program Coordinator. The proposed project was well received by all. Moreover, on November 15, 2017, the School Board of Miami-Dade County endorsed Bob Graham Education Center for submittal under the SRTS Grant Program.
The proposed project is estimated at approximately $250,000, with no required match from the Town. If funded, the SRTS Grant will provide Miami Lakes students with safe pedestrian access to quality education.