The City’s Safe Routes to Schools Improvements Project will make much-needed pedestrian safety improvements in the area of Schilling Elementary and Newark Junior High School.  The Project will install new ADA-compliant curb ramps, curb extensions to decrease crossing distances and increase pedestrian visibility, enhanced traffic striping and markings, and additional signage.  

The Project is partially funded by Alameda County Transportation Commission’s (Alameda CTC) Safe Routes to Schools Mini Grant Program, which aims to support the construction of capital improvements to enhance pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access to schools in Alameda County.  Established in 2006, Alameda CTC’s Safe Route to Schools (SR2S) Program now serves over 260 public elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the county, reaching over 172,000 students and their families with programs that promote pedestrian and bicycle safety.  The Program is funded in part by Measure B, the County half-cent sales tax renewed by voters in 2000.

Pedestrian safety improvements included with City’s Safe Routes to Schools Improvements Project were identified through a School Safety Assessment sponsored by the Alameda CTC SR2S Program.  Similar School Safety Assessments have been performed at other schools in Newark including John F. Kennedy Elementary and Lincoln Elementary.  In future years, and as funding allows, the City hopes to address the pedestrian safety needs identified through these and other School Safety Assessments as well.

If you have any questions regarding the City’s Safe Routes to Schools Improvements Project, please contact Ms. Alysia Reyes, Junior Engineer, at (510) 578-7684 or by e-mail at alysia.reyes@newark.org. For further information on Measure B projects and programs, please visit the Alameda CTC website at www.alamedactc.org  If you are interested in having a School Safety Assessment performed at your child’s school or would like additional information on the Alameda CTC SR2S Program, please visit alamedacountysr2s.org