Safe Routes to School Program
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Virginia SRTS Grants
The Virginia SRTS Program offers several funding options. Some SRTS projects require little or no funds to implement. Others, such as constructing a new sidewalk, may require a substantial investment. Click here for tips for your funding search, whether for large projects or small ones.
Once you're ready to explore grant options, click on the name of each grant in the table below to learn more and apply.
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QuickStart Mini-grants are $1,000 grants for schools that are interested in funding a small (or large) Safe Routes to School activity. Please note that applications are not reviewed until after the dates listed, and it can take up to three weeks after that date to receive the award. |
$1,000 |
August 24 September 28 March 7 April 4 |
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Walkabout Mini-grant recipients receive a hands-on walking and bicycling infrastructure survey and written report about the walking and bicycling conditions in the area around their school coordinated by the LTAC serving their region. |
Varies |
September 28 February 2
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These grants can be used to fund education, encouragement, evaluation and enforcement programs related to Safe Routes to School. The Non-Infrastructure Grant can also be used to fund a SRTS coordinator. |
Varies |
Once every two years Pre-Application due June 30, 2023 Full Application due October 2, 2023
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The VDOT Local Assistance Division (LAD) manages the application and award process for all Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) for infrastructure projects, including SRTS-designated projects. |
Varies |
Once every two years Pre-Application due June 30, 2023 Full Application due October 2, 2023 |
Overview of SRTS Funding
The Safe Routes to School Program is a federally-funded program created under Section 1404 of the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
As written in SAFETEA-LU, the purpose of the SRTS program is to:
- Enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school;
- Make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age;
- Facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.
In July 2013, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) became law, folding SRTS into a new Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). SRTS projects are now eligible to compete for funding alongside other programs, including the Transportation Enhancements program and Recreational Trails program.
The passage of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) in December 2015 largely maintains TAP structures and funding shares. VDOT’s Local Assistance Division manages the Transportation Alternatives Program for infrastructure projects. Click here for more information.
With a limited amount of SAFETEA-LU funding remaining, VDOT has pooled resources from other funding sources to award another round of non-infrastructure funds for the 2019-2020 school year.