Routes to school in Baldwin City will be $206,630 safer, thanks to a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

KDOT announced Friday that Baldwin City was among communities awarded grants in the Safe Routes to School program.

“The bulk of the award – $193,000 – will be used for sidewalk, crosswalk and signage improvements at six different specific locations in town,” City Administrator Jeff Dingman said.

However, the money won’t all go for physical improvements. The remaining $13,000 will be used for education.

“Education programs, such as classroom curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade, assemblies and guest speakers, bike rodeo and Safe Routes to School maps are included, as well as encouragement programs at the schools such as promoting Walk to School Days and a frequent walker/biker miles program,” he said.

Work on the improvements – designed to encourage students to walk or ride bicycles to school – likely will begin in late spring or early summer, Dingman said.

“We have seen obesity rates among children more than double in the past 20 years,” said Lisa Koch, KDOT Safe Routes to School coordinator. “It’s probably not a coincidence that only 15 percent of all school trips are made by walking or bicycle, so this program can play a vital role in the health of our children.”