Mattoon, Tolono to get 'Safe Routes to School' grants from IDOT

(WAND) - Mattoon and Tolono are getting grants from the Illinois Department of Transportation to improve infrastructure and make getting to school safer for students.

IDOT announced "Safe Routes to School" grants will be allocated to the Village of Tolono and the City of Mattoon.

State Representative Chris Miller (R-Hindsboro) said, "This funding will help make walking or bicycling to school safer for our children. It's always a good day when government takes initiatives to improve the safety of our communities, especially in and around schools."

The Safe Routes to School Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation and funds infrastructure and non-infrastructure initiatives.

District 101 will get the following grant funds to improve sidewalks, traffic lights, and bike crossings around schools:

Village of Tolono - $50,000 (Unity West Elementary, Unity Junior High, Unity High)
City of Mattoon - $500,000 (Mattoon High, Middle, and Elementary Schools)