Safe Routes to School Project Halted
For the 2010 Safe Routes to School grants cycle, Frederick County Public Schools received $180,000 to be used to develop a ”Walking” School Bus program, infrastructure improvements including sidewalks, crosswalk marking, pedestrian signals, and bike racks at numerous elementary schools throughout the county. The bulk of these funds were to be used on the construction of a sidewalk along Opossumtown Pike , leading to Monocacy Middle School. Although funds have been secured, Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) continues to delay construction due to their inability to develop a maintenance plan. Technically, these sidewalks would become the responsibility of neighboring homeowners. Because these sidewalks border residents’ backyards, FCPS is expecting resistance to maintenance compliance. If FCPS were to assume the responsibility, maintenance costs would roughly amount to two thousand dollars annually. This is not a cost FCPS is willing to incur. Until someone is willing to take responsibility for sidewalk maintenance, Safe Routes to School funds will go unused and Monocacy Middle School students will continue to walk the gravel shoulder of Opossumtown Pike as they make their way to school.
The Frederick Bicycle Coalition will continue to stay updated on the progress of this project and will coordinate with local officials as necessary.
This is infuriating beyond words.
They can pay and inordinate amount of money for a monstrosity of a building but can’t afford 2K a year.
Who do I slap?