TRENTON – Senator Raymond Lesniak announced today that New Jersey Department of Transportation has awarded Roselle Borough a $250,000 grant under the Safe Routes to School Program in order implement pedestrian safety improvements in the vicinity of Leonardo V. Moore Middle School and the Harrison Elementary School.
“Student safety doesn’t stop at the school house door,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “We must make sure that every student has a safe route to and from school and that pedestrians and drivers know the rules of the road so that our kids can arrive home at the end of the day safe and sound.”
According to the Borough’s grant proposal, the funds will be used for sidewalk replacement near the two schools, as well as for tree pruning to improve visibility, the addition of crosswalk and stop bar markings and placement of twelve solar powered driver feedback signs. Also included in the grant is $4,600 for non-infrastructure programs like a pedestrian safety curriculum, a bike rodeo and a public awareness campaign.
“We need to do more to encourage kids to walk to school. It provides them with daily exercise and helps to reduce congestion in our communities,” explained Senator Lesniak. “The key is to make sure that all safety concerns are addressed, so that parents feel secure in letting their children make the trip.”
Senator Lesniak along with Assemblymen Neil Cohen and Joseph Cryan and Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri will present the Borough with the “Safe Routes to School” grant this Thursday, September 13th at 3 PM at the Leonard V. Moore Middle School in Roselle.