$10M available for sidewalk or crosswalk projects

Communities throughout Idaho can now apply for up to $250,000 to construct  sidewalks, crosswalks, or pave existing pathways under an expanded initiative, the Child Pedestrian Safety Program, recently approved by the 2022 Legislature and signed into law by Governor Brad Little. 

State Senator Jim Woodward of Sagle, who represents District 1, both supported and sponsored the legislation in the Senate. There is no match required for these funds which means projects can be fully funded, with little to no impact to city, county, or highway district budgets.

Every Idaho town is encouraged to submit a project application, as past grants to cities under a similar program have resulted in more walkable and safe places for everyone, especially children. The deadline for applications is June 8, 2022 at 4 p.m.

The online application can be found on the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council website.

The purpose of the Children Pedestrian Safety Program is to provide grants to Idaho communities to build sidewalks, crosswalks and pathways in order to improve safety for adults and for children who walk or bike to school.  The Program is in its fourth year and the 2022 appropriation request by Governor Little and the passage of the proposal by the Legislature far exceeds the $2,000,000 dedicated for each of the Program’s first three years. In past years, applications have far exceeded available funds, with 2021’s applications exceeding available funding by $10,000,000.

In 2022, Little saw the need to commit state surplus dollars to the program in an effort to decrease or eliminate the backlog of unfunded projects.

Cynthia Gibson, executive director of the Idaho Walk Bike Alliance, said in the past, applications have come from all corners of Idaho. The program never lacks worthy applications, especially since it is the only source of state funds dedicated to walking or biking, she said.

“Idaho communities often do not have the funds to design and build infrastructure for non-drivers," Gibson said. "These grants will encourage parents to feel comfortable about their child walking to school, the library or the park. As our state becomes increasingly car-centric and roads are designed wider to accommodate more motor vehicles, well-designed sidewalks and crosswalks will save lives. Thanks to Sen. Woodward’s efforts in the Senate, this program and these grants will do just that.”

The Idaho Walk Bike Alliance is Idaho’s only statewide pedestrian and biking organization who mission is to promote active transportation as healthy, safe, and reliable for all Idahoans. For more information or to support Idaho Walk Bike Alliance, visit www.idahowalkbike.org.