All told, 63 different schools across the state will benefit from $2.3 million in planning assistance and infrastructure grants that are designed to support the Safe Routes to School program.  The Minnesota Department of Transportation is awarding the money to improve safety, reduce traffic congestion around schools, increase physical activity, and improve health by making it easier for students to walk or bicycle to school.

Locally, the City of Moose Lake will receive 2019 money for their programs.  The only other closest school or community was Deer River.

Since 2005, MNDOT awarded more than $38 million in federal and state funds to communities to support Safe Routes to School. The majority of funding was awarded for infrastructure projects. The remainder was allocated for programs and planning that promote walkable and bikeable communities.

MNDOT announced the available planning assistance and infrastructure grants in October 2018. The infrastructure solicitation received $6.7 million in funding requests and 12 projects were awarded state funding for construction projects totaling $2 million. Regional partners will administer planning grants in their area and MNDOT will administer the construction grants.

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