The “Safe Routes To School” program is in place to improve sidewalks and areas around schools that need improvement for students to get to school more safely. The City of Galesburg plans to install new sidewalks and paths that improve their walkability and are ADA compliant.
“We are always looking for opportunities to take advantage of adding sidewalk or addressing some walkability or safety issues near our schools,” said Aaron Gavin, a city Engineer in Galesburg.
The City of Galesburg will be using this award to improve the area surrounding Silas Willard Elementary School on Fifer Street, where there are currently no sidewalks running east and west, but there are existing sidewalks running north and south of Fifer Street.
“It’s a largely residential area,” said Gavin. He explains that adding these sidewalks would help Silas Willard students be able to walk to school more safely, especially given that the school is near a busy road. On top of that, Gavin states, “We also are upgrading and putting in curb ramps at all the intersections along there, which is safer and will be ADA compliant for all mobility types.”
This is not the first time Galesburg has received a grant to improve areas surrounding schools, with past “Safe Route to School” grants being used near Lombard Middle School and King Elementary School.
“The end goal is to encourage students and parents to bike or walk to school and also to make it safer,” said Gavin. “We are excited about the opportunity to have been awarded the funding and are excited about making improvements near Silard Willard school. I think it will be a good thing for the area and the community.”
Construction around Silas Willard will take place next summer and is scheduled to be finished before the start of the 2025 school year.
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