The City has received a $2 million grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Safe Routes to School Competitive Construction Grant Program. The funding will help improve safety on 44 sidewalks near local schools.
Medford is one of the 26 cities in the state that has received funding through this grant.
The City will be providing sidewalk infill near schools that serve lower income neighborhoods, including: Hedrick Middle School, Hoover Elementary, Jackson Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Kids Unlimited, McLoughlin Middle School, North Medford High School, Orchard Hill Elementary, South Medford High School, Washington Elementary and Wilson Elementary.
In addition to the $2 million grant from ODOT, the City has $1 million in gas tax funds and $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support these projects.
Medford Public Works Director, John Vial says the City has several areas where there are no sidewalks, which is a safety concern for families and students.
“This funding will help provide a place for people to walk safely to school as well as encourage alternative modes of transportation,” said Vial.
The sidewalk projects will start this year and will be delivered in several phases. All the work is expected to be completed by 2025.
On January 12, 2023, ODOT Commissioners approved 26 Safe Route to School projects totaling $32.4 million, with a focus on under-resourced neighborhoods. All recipients of this grant are Title 1 schools, which are schools where 40% or more of the student population is low-income.
Source: City of Medford
