Safer Sidewalks Coming To One Chatham School

CHATHAM, NJ— Walking to school in Chatham will soon be a little safer, thanks to a state grant awarded to the town. The grant will be put towards pedestrian safety improvements near Washington Ave Elementary School.

$374,000 was awarded to the district to make sidewalk improvements on Shunpike Road between Falmouth Road and Pine Street. The half a mile stretch of sidewalk near Washington Ave Elementary School will be given various improvements.

The grant is awarded under the Safe Route to School program, designed to promote children, including those with disabilities, to walk or bike to school. Some projects the grant has funded include bike paths, new crosswalks, school zone markings and speed limit signs.

“Safety is a key component of New Jersey’s transportation network, including pedestrian and bicycling accommodations,” NJDOT Commissioner Richard T. Hammer said. “These grants will help our local communities improve sidewalks and crosswalks so children may safely walk or bike to school.”

In total, 11 grants were given across the state, totaling $4.079 million. One other Morris County town received a grant: Netcong was warded $243,00 to improve bike and pedestrian safety.

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