Alaska
Alaska SRTS Program
Managed by the Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT), Alaska’s federally funded Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is the source for state coordinator contact details, federal SRTS funding amounts, SRTS applications and guidelines, and state SRTS program information.
Quick Links
In the News | Alaska SRTS Federal Funding
Application Guidelines | State Advisory Committee
State Outreach Programs | Alaska Partner Affiliates
In the News
Alaska Safe Routes to School Gets Creative with Education and Encouragement
What lives in the Juneau Department of Transportation building, is big, green, reflective and has kids all over Alaska getting excited about bicycling and pedestrian safety? The Alaska Safe Routes to Schools mascot, Reflectosaurus. Created by a former AmeriCorps member, Reflectosaurus has been piloting Safe Routes to School outreach since March 2010. Aiding the education and encouragement campaign through his captivation of young audiences in a presentation about pedestrian, bicycle, reflector and now bear safety, Alaska’s Safe Routes to School mascot has been to 18 schools across Alaska, and presented to more than 4,000 kids.
Other outreach-related projects the Alaska Safe Routes to School program is involved with include the following: a reflector fashion act in a wearable art show, the walking school bus campaign, shipping free reflectors to schools all over Alaska, (the program has provided more than 90,000 free reflectors) and a budding Teens go Green Program, where teens are getting involved to coordinate and plan events encouraging elementary-aged students to more safely bicycle and walk to their school, as well as around their neighborhoods.
Alaska SRTS Federal Funding
Alaska’s SRTS funding from FY2005-2009* totals $4,990,000 and includes the following annual apportionments:
| 2005 Actual | 2006 Actual | 2007 Actual | 2008 Actual | 2009 Actual |
| $1,000,000 | $990,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
* Funding for SRTS is being continued into FY2010 at FY2009 levels.
Application Guidelines
Alaska last application cycle close on November 30, 2010, and applications are being reviewed with awards likely to be announced in Spring 2011. Alaska DOT hopes to have construction projects funded through this round with construction taking place in the summer of 2011. Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau are working on multi-school projects and more than 20 other communities and tribal entities are beginning or have ongoing Safe Routes to School local programs.
Applications are received on an ongoing basis by the SRTS Selection Committee. The committee reviews the application and provides recommendations to the Alaska DOT Commissioner. More grant program information can be found at: www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/saferoutes/grants.shtml.
Alaska has eleven communities working on SRTS projects ranging from local school planning grants to a community wide approach. The review committee will meet in early Summer 2009. They hope to make funds available in the Summer 2009 so schools can get started on the process.
State Advisory Committee
While Alaska does not have an official advisory committee, they do have a collaborative team of partners (Department of Education, communities and individuals) who offer great insight and participation in projects.
State Outreach Programs
The Bicycle Commuter Alliance of Anchorage, formed in 2008, is sponsoring an April Bike Summit with a day devoted to Safe Routes to School.
Alaska Partner Affiliates
Find out which organizations in your state have pledged their support for the Safe Routes to School movement.