Mahwah Denied ‘Safe Routes to Schools’ Grant

An application for a grant that would have allowed for Mahwah to place solar “School Zone” signs on Ridge Rd. and Fardale Ave. was denied, township engineer Mike Kelly reported at a town council meeting last month.

In December 2011, the town council applied to the state for a “Safe Routes To School” grant that would have paid for the signs. The competitive grant is meant to fund projects across New Jersey that make areas where children walk to school safer, and encourage kids to walk and bike to school.

Kelly said he was not given feedback on why state officials did not choose to award money to Mahwah’s project. However, township business administrator Brian Campion said the state tends to favor projects that more overtly promote active ways to get to school.

Over a year ago, council members recommended applying for the grant as a way to combat speeding on the two roads, which house five of the township’s six public schools. Police officials said at the time they were looking for a way to “improve roadway approaches,” to the schools.

According to a release from the Department of Transportation, five Bergen County towns did receive funding from the Safe Routes to Schools program this year. The $1.28M in funding will go toward improvement projects in Bergenfield, Garfield, Montvale, Tenafly and Palisades Park.

Township officials said last week they would look into finding alternative sources of funding for the project.

But, Patch wants to know, do you think speeding is a big problem near Mahwah schools? Do you think the signs would help discourage it? Do you have a different idea for how to do it? Leave your suggestions in the comments below.