Leaders in Ethridge have reached a consensus to pursue a Safe Routes to School Grant aimed at enhancing accessibility and safety for students traveling to Ethridge Elementary School. This initiative will focus on constructing ADA-compliant sidewalks that extend from the school’s entrance to the adjacent street, ensuring a secure passage for children. Additionally, the project will establish a designated safe crossing zone, complete with new safety lighting to illuminate the crosswalk area, thereby improving visibility and security for pedestrians.
City Manager Nathan Keeton highlighted that state officials have actively encouraged the city to seek this funding, which is intended to cover the estimated $300,000 cost of the project. Previously, the city had been in the process of repaying a similar grant but discovered that the fees associated with it left insufficient funds to complete the intended work. Keeton noted that the remaining balance from that earlier grant would be discontinued in tandem with the initiation of this new project, allowing for a more streamlined approach to enhancing safety for the community’s youth.