NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced Safe Routes to School funding totaling $1.6 for ten municipalities in Tennessee.

The funds will be used by multiple schools to improve sidewalks, crosswalks, signs and safe walking and biking educational activities.

The Safe Routes to School Program is a statewide initiative designed to make bicycling and walking to school a safer, more appealing and healthier alternative for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

“Safety is a crucial component in our efforts to promote a healthier lifestyle for Tennessee children,” Haslam said. “The Safe Routes to School Program helps create safer walking and biking environments for students and funds activities to encourage children and their parents to increase their physical activity.”

Cities receiving Safe Routes to School funds are:

Anderson County
Kingsport

Dyersburg
Lenoir City

Fairview
Lewisburg

Hendersonville
Tullahoma

Jackson
Woodbury

The grants are made possible through a federally funded program administered by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

“Safe Routes to School is an innovative program that provides an opportunity to work closely with schools, the community, and local government to create a safe environment for children to walk or bike to school,” said Commissioner Schroer. “Since 2005, these grants have funded improvement projects at 111 schools across the state.”

Nationally, more than 12,000 schools have benefited from funds through state SRTS programs.