Safe Routes to School Construction Grant Program
Safe Routes to School Construction Grant Program supports Oregon communities with street-safety construction and project planning to help children walk or bike more safely to and from public schools.
Funder: Oregon Department of Transportation
Due Dates: Rolling (Rapid Response, while funds are available) | January 2027 (application schedules announced)
Funding Amounts: $60,000–$3 million (Competitive); up to $500,000 (Rapid Response); planning assistance (Project Identification)
Summary: Funds safety improvements that help children walk or bike to and from Oregon public schools.
Key Information: Construction projects must be within two miles of a public school and in the public road right-of-way.
Description
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) runs the Safe Routes to School Construction Program to reduce barriers and hazards for children walking or bicycling to and from school. It supports improvements such as crossings, sidewalks, bike lanes and pedestrian beacons. The construction program complements separate Safe Routes to School education and outreach efforts.
The program has three components: recurring Competitive Construction Grants, Rapid Response grants for urgent safety needs or opportunities, and Project Identification planning assistance to help communities identify projects for eventual construction. The Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee recommends projects for funding; the Oregon Transportation Commission decides Competitive awards, while the ODOT director approves Rapid Response awards.
