MOUNT VERNON—Thanks to a $328,200 Safe Routes to School grant, the city is closer to resolving a long-standing safety issue.
The city will use the money to repair and install sidewalks on Martinsburg Road and surrounding neighborhoods.
Gov. Mike DeWine announced the award on Tuesday.
“We are truly thrilled with the governor’s announcement of our award,” Mayor Matt Starr said. “There are many people to thank, starting with the local residents who came to council and brought the matter before the city.
“Superintendent Bill Seder and Superintendent Kathy Greenich were great to work with,” he continued. “City Council and especially Councilman Jay Mahan really championed the project. This is another victory for the city, the schools, and the neighborhood.”
Seder is the superintendent of Mount Vernon City Schools, and Greenich is the superintendent of the Knox County Career Center.
Starr also thanked the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for its letter supporting the project.
School safety
Safety for students walking to and from the middle and high schools and career center has been a chronic issue. It came to a head in October 2023 when parents asked for increased safety after a car hit a youngster crossing Martinsburg Road.
City, school, and Ohio Department of Transportation officials worked to resolve the issue.
In February, ODOT approved extending the school safety zone on Martinsburg Road to just south of Parrott Street and 150 feet north of the crosswalk at Pine Street. Additionally, the school district started neighborhood drop-offs so students would not have to cross Martinsburg Road.
The city recently began preliminary work for sidewalk installation on Martinsburg Road. The next step is installing six controlled crosswalks with flashing lights:
•Martinsburg and Newark roads
•South Main and South Division streets
•Yellow Jacket Drive
“This is another victory for the city, the schools, and the neighborhood.”
Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr
The city has ordered the school zone flashers and rapid flashing beacons for crossings through ODOT and will install the equipment when it arrives.
About Safe Routes to School
The city’s sidewalk project is among 29 projects in 19 counties the Safe Routes to School program will fund this year. The state invested over $8 million in projects focusing on the safety of children who walk or bike to school.
The Ohio Department of Transportation oversees the Safe Routes to School program.
Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $83 million to various entities to improve student safety.
“Creating the opportunity for children to walk and bike to school is so important, and this funding will help communities ensure that these routes are as safe as possible,” said Gov. DeWine in announcing the awards. “Motorists should also do their part by paying attention, especially in and around schools.”
A committee of subject matter experts from ODOT and the Ohio Department of Health competitively selected the projects. Projects are evaluated on their ability to demonstrate improved bike or pedestrian connectivity, safety, the number of students impacted, economic need, and available funding.
“As an avid cyclist myself, I am encouraged to see so much demand from young Ohioans to get on a bike or walk to get to school. It is our responsibility to give this next generation safer infrastructure to enjoy these modes of transportation,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks.
