Elyria, OH [August 1, 2023] – The City of Elyria will receive $550,000 in grant funding from the Ohio
Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program, which works to improve safety for students
walking and biking to and from school.
An allocation of $470,000 has been earmarked for mobility, accessibility, and connectivity improvements in
the vicinity of three community schools, providing safer routes for children and parents traveling between
their homes and school campuses. The funding will also be utilized to upgrade crossings near those
schools, ensuring full compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The
remaining $80,000 will be allocated to safety education programs and acquiring equipment to bolster safety
initiatives for both students and staff.
In total, Lorain County was awarded $1,248,000 in funding through the program. City leaders, Lorain County
Public Health and other community and county partners were instrumental in the successful efforts to secure
substantial grant funding through the program.
“When people hear about the importance of planning and community input, it’s understandable to be
skeptical about its effectiveness,” said Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield. “However, this grant funding serves as a
testament to the value of residents engaging with their city government. The active participation and
feedback from the community on the Elyria Active Transportation Plan (ATP) was instrumental in shaping
our compelling proposal and securing this very important grant. This funding will make it safer for our
children to get around town, particularly on their way to and from school.”
Mayor Whitfield continued, “This grant encompasses a wide range of essential improvements, including
upgraded sidewalks, traffic pattern improvements, and the installation of new crosswalk markings. These
enhancements will significantly contribute to creating a safer environment for our children. We are grateful
for our partnership with Lorain County Public Health and Elyria City Schools, as well as for our dedicated
residents who played a pivotal role in elevating the importance of safety enhancements to a top priority for
our community.”
On July 20th, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack
Marchbanks announced funding awards of over $9.8 million for projects that will improve safety for students
walking and biking to and from school in 25 counties through the Safe Routes to School program.
The Safe Routes to School program provides funding for infrastructure like new sidewalks and path
extensions, crosswalks and rapid flashing beacons, bicycle lanes, and other safety equipment around Ohio
schools. It also provides programming for communities to help encourage and enable K-12 students living
within 2 miles of their schools to walk or ride a bike.
Since its inception in 2005, ODOT’s Safe Routes to School program has provided more than $75 million to
schools, municipalities, health districts, park districts, and key non-profit partners to improve safety for
students
Please visit the Safe Routes to School website to learn more about the program or contact the Safety Service office at 440-326-1404 for inquiries specific to the City of Elyria’s grant funding.
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