Berne takes initial steps to Safe Routes to Schools

Decatur Daily Democrat:

Berne City Council on Monday evening authorized the execution of a pair of contracts with state highway officials as the first step in implementing the city's Safe Routes To School program.

Berne last fall was named as a recipient of more than $300,000 in transportation department grant funding to implement the national program, which provides planning grants through the U.S. Department of Transportation for programs designed to encourage students to take part in a healthier lifestyle by walking and biking to school.

Berne was awarded up to $71,500 in non-infrastructure grant funding and up to $250,000 in additional funding from the Indiana Department of Transportation for infrastructure projects. Mayor Bill McKean and two city employees charged with implementing the grant — workforce manager Kurt Dailey and city planning director Shannon Smitley — met with INDOT officials recently in Fort Wayne to review contracts for the project.