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Safe Routes to School Program

Safe Routes to School Program

applications currently not being accepted

The main objectives of the Safe Routes to School Program are:

To enable and encourage children in grades K-8, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school.
To make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle from an early age.
To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools

Program Overview

The Safe Routes to School Program is a federally funded reimbursement program that was established in August 2005 by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). While previous legislation made the Safe Routes Program optional, the current legislation, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has reinstated it as a standalone program. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) had elected to continue funding the Safe Routes Program separately in previous years, ensuring that there has not been a gap in serving this important program need.

How to Maximize Your Chances of Success

Applying for Safe Routes funding is time-consuming and involves multiple requirements, which means multiple ways to miss something and risk funding. However, there are ways to ensure your application does not get disqualified for simple mistakes and has the maximum opportunity to be considered for its merits. Here are some things to pay special attention to and to take advantage of to improve your chances of receiving Safe Routes funding.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Your responsible charge must be a full-time public employee. Part-time employees or employees of consultant firms or nonprofits listed as the responsible charge will disqualify your application.
Do not forget to attach signed resolutions of support for your project. Applications must include signed resolutions of support from school boards, municipalities, and any entity relevant to the project as well as maintenance commitments. Many applicants forget to attach resolutions, or their attachments are not signed. Do not overlook your resolutions. You will not have the opportunity to send them in after the application deadline has passed.

Assistance is available for applicants of Safe Routes funding.

Cross County Connection Transit Management Association (CCCTMA) is the designated Safe Routes Regional Coordinator for South Jersey. For assistance, contact Latifah Sunkett at (856) 596-8228 or sunkett@driveless.com. NJDOT has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify some important points about Safe Routes.

Did not receive funding for a Safe Routes Application? Find out why!

Projects are selected on a competitive basis. However, some projects are disqualified due to easy-to-correct mistakes, including unsigned resolutions, improper responsible charge, and missing attachments. You can contact NJDOT for a debriefing about your application.

Any other questions? Do not hesitate to ask us!

Contact Alan Huff at ahuff@sjtpo.org with any remaining questions. We will work to get the answer or direct you to someone who can.

Do not wait until the last minute!

SJTPO and CCCTMA are happy to assist you but need time to help get you the answers or assistance you need. Give yourself the time to ensure you do not make simple mistakes. You will not have the opportunity to correct mistakes after the application deadline has passed.

Application Process

The Safe Routes program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration’s Federal Aid Program and is being administered by the NJDOT, in partnership with the SJTPO, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA).

County, municipal governments, school districts, and schools are eligible to apply to the program. Nonprofit organizations are not eligible as direct grant recipients for this solicitation. However, nonprofit organizations may partner with a local public agency that will assume responsibility and administration for the grant.

Infrastructure projects include planning, designing, and installing sidewalks, crosswalks, signals, traffic-calming, and bicycle facilities.

NJDOT will solicit Safe Routes grant applications for infrastructure projects only. The Safe Routes to School Application Guidance explains the infrastructure program’s eligibility requirements, guides the applicant through the application, and describes the process by which projects are selected.

All applicants will be required to submit their applications using SAGE (System for Administering Grants Electronically). Training and instructions on how to apply are available here.

Contact Info

Alan J. Huff
Program Manager – Safety Initiatives & Public Outreach
ahuff@sjtpo.org