success stories

• The City of Starkville’s “Safe Routes to School” grant application was awarded $281,476 in funding by the Mississippi Department of Transportation. The grant will be used to construct or improve walking and cycling routes from neighborhoods to Ward-Stewart, Henderson and Armstrong schools. The application was developed by Lois Connington, Chair of SIM’s Safe Routes to Schools committee and Dr. Ron Cossman, Chair of SIM’s Lynn Lane committee, which was awarded a $1.5 million grant by MDOT late last year. City Engineer Bill Webb also provided critical technical assistance. Board of Aldermen member Matt Cox spearheaded the city’s support for the grant application. Read the press release announcing the award. Learn more about the Mississippi Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Program.

• The 1st Citywide Walk to School Day was a success! Read an article about this Safe Routes to School event. See photos from Walk to School Day.

• The University Drive bike lane has been installed and has dramatically increased bike traffic and bicyclist safety.

• The Lynn Lane Committee has worked with the City of Starkville and Mississippi State University to submit a grant proposal for the development of a multi-use path on Lynn Lane. MDOT announced that the City of Starkville has been awarded a $1.5 million grant to construct a multi-purpose path for bicyclists and pedestrians. The grant includes funds for construction of the multi-purpose path, road striping, signage, and an educational component. Construction of the multi-purpose path will begin in 2007. The project is expected to be completed by 2009.

• A bike rack was installed in front of the Greensboro Center and the Starkville Public Library.