‘Safe Routes to School’ Brings Schools Together

People from 4 area schools get together to learn ways they can make students’ routes to school safer to travel.

They came out for an informational meeting on the ‘Safe Routes to School’ program.

Representatives from Republic-Michigamme, the Powell Township School, Bothwell Middle School in Marquette and North Star Academy in Marquette Township all attended.

The program is meant to have community members look at how a school’s environment is designed and see if it’s possible to separate vehicle traffic from foot traffic.

Some communities have addressed financial concerns about paying for the infrastructure work needed to address these issues.

But George Sedlacek of the Marquette County Health Department says the ‘Safe Routes to School’ program can pay up to 100% of that cost.

3 area elementary schools are in the final process to determine how much money they’ll each receive for the infrastructure work they need.

Those 3 are Lakeview School in Negaunee, Birchview School in Ishpeming and Gilbert School in Gwinn.