Starting in February 2026, we will offer Safe Routes to School grants and services to help communities address barriers to students walking and rolling to school. 

These funds are completely separate from ODOT’s maintenance and operations funding. These funds are meant for Safe Routes to School services and grants only.

The three programs are:  

SRTS Construction Technical Assistance 

As in previous cycles, communities can apply for Technical Assistance. 

• Planning Assistance Description: This service provides you with consultant resources and results in a locally adopted Safe Routes to School Plan that prioritizes solutions to addressing barriers to students walking and rolling to school. Tribes, cities, counties and school districts are welcome to apply. This service is available for up to 8 school communities. 

• Engineering Assistance Description: This service consists of technical support to communities to design priority infrastructure projects for pedestrian and bicycle transportation, including: design/engineering services (up to 30% design), assessments (e.g., hydrology, soil, lighting, feasibility), plans (e.g., striping, earthwork, demolition), and analysis (e.g., traffic, code, signal warrants). Tribes, cities, and counties are welcome to apply. This service will be available up to 6 communities. 

• Traffic Gardens Assistance Description:  This service consists of technical support to communities to (1) design a traffic garden or (2) design and install a traffic garden, to include a scaled-down network of roads, signs and intersections that are assembled to create a simplified version of real-world streets in a safe and comfortable environment for learning. Tribes, cities, and counties are welcome to apply. This service will be available up to 3 communities. 

SRTS Education Grants 

• Description: This grant helps communities grow capacity to engage students, parents and communities in educational programs like bicycle and pedestrian classes and events like Walk + Roll to School celebrations. Tribes, government entities, school districts and non-profits are welcome to apply. 

SRTS Competitive Construction Grants 

This grant has a two-part application with part 1 opening in February 2026. Application Part 2 opens early May 2026 for all applicants who completed Part 1 to request additional details for proposed project improvements. 

• Description: This grant provides state funds to build safety projects within a two-mile radius of schools to address barriers to students walking and rolling to school. Local road authorities such as tribes, cities, counties, and ODOT regions are welcome to apply.  

There will be multiple resources provided to assist grantees with submitting applications, including an informational webinar providing applicants with details and tips for applications to be published prior to the grant solicitation. All details will be available on the Oregon Safe Routes to School website.