Mahwah to Try for Excess ‘Safe Routes to Schools’ Money

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Mahwah is living by that motto when it comes to funding for a road safety project that officials say would be beneficial near the township’s schools.

In December 2011, the town council applied to the state for a “Safe Routes To School” grant that would have paid for solar-powered “School Zone” signs to be installed on Ridge Road and Fardale Avenue. 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.

Earlier this year, Mahwah found out that it did not receive the Department of Transportation grant.

However, township engineer Mike Kelly said at a township council meeting Thursday that there still may be a way for the town to get the money needed to install the signs.

The council gave Kelly the go-ahead to apply for “discretionary funding,” which he said was money left over from grant-winning projects across the state that either were completed for less money than originally anticipated, or ended up not being completed at all.

Kelly said that because Mahwah’s grant application was likely denied due to “lack of funding,” the township might have a shot at picking up some discretionary funding to get the signs installed.

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.

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